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POLISH BLOOD 

A ROMANCE 


BY 

NATALY BARONESS VON ESCHSTRUTH 

« ^ 


Translated from the German 


CORA LOUISE TURNER 



NEW YORK 

JORN B. ALDEN, PUBLISHER 

1889 



Copyright, 1889, 

BY 

CORA LOUISE TURNER 


* 1 




EMP BIMav'S’S 


TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, 

X 

THE GRAND-DUCHESS, AUGUSTA CAROLINE, 

f 

OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, 

Princess of Great Britain, 

THIS WORK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 

NATALY VON ESCHSTRUTH. 










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POLISH BLOOD. 


CHAPTER L 

It was a wild November storm. With snowy wings 
it went moaning over the low, desolate plains of 
Eastern Prussia — miles over heath and steppe — leagues 
over the dark forests of fir, over brook and field, and 
away over the sedgy borders of the sea. And it 
shook the crowns of the tall pines, tore their branches 
and sent them in splinters to the ground ; whipped the 
reeds on the river shore, and sent them into the 
foaming flood below. A mad, wild song of its rest- 
less wanderings it was sounding in the world’s ears 
— a song of rebellious freedom, like the jubilant 
shouts ringing beyond, within the Polish borders. 

The broad land lay in a death-like sleep. Only the 
restless surface of the sea rose and fell like a troubled 
breast as the voice of the storm-king sounded over its 
waters. 

The untamed fellow shook more angrily his wings 
over the earth below, and thicker and thicker fell the 
snow-flakes, higher and higher they rose, until the 
earth below was as white and still as the veil that 
covers sleeping peace. 

Then farther and faster he flew, casting to the 
earth whatever hemmed his pathway. He is lord and 
master here! Who dares bar the victor’s course? 
Castle-towers ? High and defiant they lift their hoary 
heads to meet the clouds and scorn the storm-wind. 
Come, try it ; hurl us down ! We are built upon firm 


8 


POLISH BLOOD. 


ground; have stood many a century and defied your 
kind. We are the towers of Proczna ! Do you know 
what Proczna- is ? — the stony cradle of a race of 
German oaks on whose branches gleam many a golden 
escutcheon bearing nine proud pearls. ‘‘Come on, 
roar as you may. We are the stony sentinels of 
Proczna ! ” 

Hurra ! How it tears through the air I How it 
whistles and howls around the ledges of the walls. 
What a cradle song it is singing round Proczna. 
Now it dashes its brow against the gray masonry. 
Now tears its cloud-mantel on the ledges, but wilder 
and more resistless it rises higher and wages battle 
with the defiant sentinels of Proczna. 

The snow beat against the window-panes, and 
deeper and deeper sank the night. 

A warm red light flared up for a moment through 
the great bow-window of the lower story, the figure 
of a servant outlined itself against the bright back- 
ground, then the great wooden shutters grated on 
their hinges, and all was dark. 

Silent as a dark shadow, the great house-dog paced 
up and down the broad terrace, that lay along the 
western side of the castle, leading to the park ; other- 
wise, no sign of life ; silent and apparently deserted, 
lay the great castle in the midst of the desolate, 
storm-beaten land. 

Within the servant had just placed the lamp upon 
the table, closed the blinds, and then disappeared as 
silently as he had come. A dim light lit up the lofty, 
spacious apartments. Portraits, browned with time, 
hung in costly carved cases on the walls, heavy 
damask draped the wide doors and covered the furni- 
ture, that must have stood for centuries in their 
places. A melancholy tone of the past seemed to 
pervade every carved and embroidered piece ; even 
the monotonous ticking of the wood-worm in the 
wainscoting seemed the pulse of that dream-life, 
which hovered with leaden wings through the vast 
apartments. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Before a table covered with books and the journals 
of the day, sat Count Gustav Adolph, of Dynar. He 
did not read, but sat resting his head heavily upon 
his slender, transparent hand. Although the Count 
was in the prime of life, his temples and hair about 
the brow were already gray. Broken and wretched 
was the tall cavalier form ; colorless and haggai d the 
countenance, which still bore traces of great beauty. 
A kind of apathetic resignation had impressed itself 
upon every feature, which, together with the deep 
shadows about the eyes, indicated one stricken with 
unspeakable sorrow. 

Weary, inexpressibly weary was the countenance. 
Motionless he sat, though the fire blazed and crackled 
upon the hearth, the great oaken logs broke now and 
then and sent the sparks wide and high ; the storm 
still howled in the chimneys and beat against the 
windows ; the clock ticked upon his writing-desk. 

Presently a low sobbing came from the adjoining 
room ; then louder and louder it grew — the plaintive 
cry of a young child’s voice. 

Count Dynar started from his seat, a burning flush 
suffused his pale cheek; breathlessly he listened. 
Then a woman’s voice sang a lullaby, and ended 
finally sobbing with the child. 

With a groan the Count covered his face with his 
hands and murmured : “ My God, have you deserted 
me in my misery ? ” Then, springing from his seat, 
he seized with feverish hands the bell-rope. 

The gray-haired servant, with bowed head, en- 

Has Henry not yet returned ? ” 

“ Not yet, your Lordship, and I fear the storm will 

prevent his coming at all.” 

Count Dynar, as a diplomat, had learned seli- 
control, yet his slender form trembled as though the 
storm without beat against it. . . , 

“ What is to be done,” he murmured, glancing with 
desperation toward the adjoining room. 

“ The little Countess is again awake ? said the 


10 


POLISH BLOOD. 


old servant, listening. “ With God’s help, my wife 
will quiet her.’^ 

Then with that familiarity which years of faithful 
service warranted, he whispered to the Count : 

“ Do not despair, your Lordship. Hunger is pain- 
ful, but perhaps the little one will get used to — Then 
we shall not need a nurse any more. Then you will 
not be worried. Such crying always sounds worse 
than it really is.” 

Count Dynar listened with a half absent sort of 
way, then stepped into the next room. 

The waiting maid of the deceased Countess was 
vainly trying to give his little four-weeks old daughter 
some nourishment ; near her was an elderly woman, 
sorrowfully wringing her hands. 

Count Gustav Adolph took the child in his arms, 
and sought, himself, to drop the milk between its rosy 
lips. A deep flush covered his brow and his hands 
trembled with excitement. 

The plaintive cry became weaker, the eyes closed, 
a gentle sobbing, and the child slept upon its fathers 
breast. The Count seated himself and again listened 
for the carriage which was to bring a nurse from the 
distant city. 

His lip quivered with the pain he suffered. He 
opened a book, stared in it, then, with a sigh, hastily 
closed it again. 

The clock struck. 

Then footsteps sounded in the corridor, and old 
Ewald hastily entered. 

“ Your lordship.” 

The Count had already risen, and was hurrying 
through the door. “The carriage? Henry?” 

“ No, your lordship ! ” And Ewald, shaking his 
gray head angrily, made a motion to bar his master’s 
passage. “ It is only some of the ragged rabble 
knocking at the door, and begging, in God’s name, 
for shelter — there is a man as ragged as a gypsy, his 
wife, and two children ” — and then the old man drew 
nearer, and whispered in a mysterious voice ; “ To all 


POLISH BLOOD. 


11 


appearance they are Polish refugees that have es- 
caped across the boundary line. Such people are 
like pitch, if one would not soil his fingers he should 
not touch them, your Lordship.” 

A fearful blast of wind came howling into the 
room, and sent the icicles rapping against the window- 
panes. 

Count Dynar, who, at first was bitterly disap- 
pointed, again hurriedly approached the door. 

“ And children are there, you say,” he asked ; 
“and I shall turn such miserable people as these 
from my door, on such a night as this ? ” The fold 
in Gustav Adolph’s brow deepened, as he commanded 
the servant, with an impatient gesture, to make way 
for him. 

“ Let me pass ! ” 

Then Ewald laid his hand — an heretofore unheard 
of liberty — entreatingly upon his master’s arm, and 
said, “Do not bring these people into the castle, they 
bring a dying child with them. Who knows what is 
the matter with it, and what it may bring into the 
house. There’s room enough in the stable, good 
enough for such people, accustomed to nothing better 
and”— 

“ A dying child I ” With a cry of sympathetic 
anguish, the Count pushed the servant hurriedly 
aside, and, without allowing him to say another 
word, hastened through the door, down the corridor, 
to the stairway below. 

In the great hall-like vestibule, lighted only by the 
pale, reddish light of two wall-lamps, upon the base 
of one of the great bronze statues, cowered a young 
woman, sobbing over an infant, whose frozen little 
limbs she was trying to warm with her own icy 
fingers. 

Near her knelt the figure of a man, bare-headed, 
beard and hair white with snow, the upper part of 
the body covered only with a shirt — he, also, was 
trying to warm the little body with his breath. Near 
him, in his father’s coat, lay a four-year-old boy, in a 


12 


IDOLISE BLOOh. 


deep sleep, like a little heap of misery upon the stone 
floor. As the Count’s footsteps sounded upon the 
great winding stairway, the stranger turned his head 
and, with the haste of desperation, hurried toward 
him. 

“ Monsieur le Comte ! ” 

Count Dynar, deeply moved, gazed into the death- 
like, bewildered countenance, whose black eyes stared 
wildly at him, at the mouth, that in fluent French im- 
plored him for pity and aid. 

In a moment the Count was by the side of the 
woman, bending over the lifeless body of the young 
child. 

“ What is the matter with it ? ” he asked, short. 

“ Frozen ! ” burst like a wild cry from the lips of 
the Pole. “ Give us a few drops of hot milk, a warm 
cloth ; perhaps we may yet call the little soul back,” 
and with a fresh outburst of sorrow he seized the 
child and flooded the frozen little face with tears and 
kisses. 

The heart of the Count was touched with the 
deepest commiseration. 

He gave a few hasty commands to the servants 
that stood gaping at the strange scene. Then pick- 
ing up the sleeping boy from tke floor, he turned 
toward the stairway and said to the stranger: 

“ Follow me ! ” 

As light as a feather upon his arm was the emaci- 
ated little body. Two naked arms, slipped from 
the folds of the coarse coat, and a dark, curly little 
head, sank wearily as a broken blossom upon the 
breast of the Lord of Proczna. 

Gustav Adolph gazed earnestly down into the little 
boy's face, whose teeth, even in sleep, still chattered 
with the cold, and hastening to the apartment he had 
just left, he placed his burden upon the soft cushion 
of a divan. Carefully, tenderly as a mother he spread 
the soft silken covering over the child, stroked caress- 
ingly the wet hair from his brow, then he turned 
again to the stranger who had followed close behind 
him. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


13 


“ Ewald, bring something from my wardrobe for 
this man ; tell your wife to provide dry clothing for 
the woman. Order something warm to eat also, as 
soon as possible.’^ 

Ewald, now also deeply moved, hastened to obey 
orders, while the Count, with the assistance of the 
Pole, and the waiting maid Gartine again made 
efforts to restore the infant to life. 

In vain! The young life bad not been able to 
withstand the icy storm and the long journey in the 
night and cold. Not a breath left the pale little 
breast. It lay like a snow-flake upon the soft cush- 
ion. 

Overcome with weakness, the Polish woman, with 
closed eyes, lay near the hearth. The flickering 
light of the fire, like something unearthly, played fan- 
tastically with her long, black, storm-tossed hair and 
peasant costume. The dead body of the little child 
was removed to an adjoining salon, then Gartine as- 
sisted the strange woman to dress, while Count 
Dynar awakened the little sleeper upon the divan 
with friendly words, and offered him warm food. 

Great dark eyes opened wide and cast a question- 
ing look into the Count’s face. Then two naked 
arms twined themselves fearlessly about his neck, 
and a weak, young voice whispered Polish words. 

“Yes, you are home again,” answered Count 
Adolph, who had learned something of the Polish 
tongue from his servants, many of whom were Pol- 
ish people ; and he held the child in his lap and 
smoothed affectionately with his white hand the 
curly little black head. 

Three days have passed since the night of that 
fearful storm. 

As far as the eye could gaze through the great 
bay-windows of Proczna, nothing was to be seen but 
endless snow-fields and forests of fir glistening with 
their burdens of icicles. Now and then flocks of 
wild birds with tlieir shrill cries and dark wings dis- 
turbed the still air j otherwise there was nothing to 


14 


POLISH BLOOD, 


break the solitude of this desolate scene. A misty 
veil seemed to have blended even the earth and 
heavens together. 

Count Dynar gazed thoughtfully out of the win- 
dow down upon the terrace, about whose balustrade 
the leafless vines were sighing in the wind. A red- 
dish glow in the western sky announced that the 
sun had just sunk behind the bank of clouds, leaving 
a soft radiance upon the whitened crowns of the trees 
and seaming with rosy bands the towers of Proczna. 

Light seemed to be breaking also over the coun- 
tenance of the lord of the Castle. For the first time, 
since many long and painful days, a pleased smile 
hovered unconsciously about his colorless lips. 

From the adjoining room, where lay the young 
Countess, came the full strong voice of a woman 
singing a strange, unknown song. 

It was Jadwiga, the wanderer, singing to the 
daughter of the Count the burning, passionate song 
of her fatherland. 

A tall, slender woman wafe Jadwiga, with sparkling 
black eyes, hurried, but graceful movements, lips 
through which the hot Polish blood glowed, and a 
neck too stiff and proud to bend to a yoke. It had 
evidently cost her many a struggle to play a mother’s 
part to the young German child, but a single look 
from her companion, and she bowed her head in 
obedience. 

“You command it, sire,” and Jadwiga stepped to 
the cradle of the young child and took it to her breast. 

The Count’s need and anxiety was at an end — 
Henry, the domestic, had returned with the informa- 
tion he was unable to persuade a nurse to follow him 
to this lonesome place. 

And smiling at the happy termination of his 
difficulties Count Dynar stood at the window and 
listened to Jadwiga’s song, now and then interrupted 
by the clear notes of a child’s voice. It was little 
Janek, playing at his nurse’s feet, with the great dog 
Pluto. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


15 


The morning following that stormy night, the 
Count took the little boy upon his knee and asked 
him his name. 

“Janek.” 

‘‘ And what else ? ” 

The great dark eyes of the child looked puzzled, 
and he shook his head. 

“ Where did you live, then, before you came here ? ” 

“ In a great, great house like this with many pretty 
toys ! Ah ! it was splendid there. I had everything 
I wanted there ! But then we drove away — many, 
many days, in the cold, narrow wagon — and oh ! I 
was so hungry and so cold ; and then father took me 
in his arms, and Jadwiga wept and cried, ‘ God help 
us, we are lost !’ and then we went farther and farther 
into the storm and the snow, and father told the 
driver to go any way as long as the horses had 
strength, and then the driver whipped the steeds, and 
away we went ! ” 

“ And then ? ” 

“ Then we got out and father ran as fast as he 
could, and I cried, and, oh, I was so hungry ! ” 

“ And where did your father run ? ” 

The boy shook his head. “ I do not know ; I slept 
till I got here.” 

“ And what is your father’s name ? ” 

“ Mamma called him Jan, sometimes ‘ My darling.’ 

“ Is Jadwiga your mother ? ” 

Here the child broke out into a bright laugh. 
“Jadwiga? No, indeed. Jadwiga has only been 
with us since mamma died, to take care of my little 
brother. Jadwiga always kissed papa’s hand — and 
she did not have as pretty dresses as mamma. O, my 
mamma was as beautiful as the queen in my picture- 
book, and everybody called her your Highness, and 
she always had four white horses to her carriage.” 

Count Dynar bowed his head thoughtfully, and 
ran his eye hastily over the latest newspaper. There 
he found much that confirmed his suspicions. 

He had already learned to love Janek as his own 


16 


POLISH BLOOD. 


child, and drawing the little fellow on his knee he 
kissed his pale little face and said : 

“ Your father has just gone aw^ay on a long journey. 
You will stay with me and call me father, won’t you, 
Janek?” 

The child’s eyes filled with tears, his lips trembled 
and he sobbed aloud for the absent one. Then clasp- 
ing his little arms about Count Gustav’s neck, tighter 
and tighter, he begged piteously : 

“ Oh, let him come back soon, won’t you, and I 
will be a very, very good boy ! ” 

But in a few hours all his sorrow was forgotten, 
and the little fellow clung affectionately to the 
Count, and called him papa over and over again, as 
though it had never been otherwise. 

So on that stormy, winter night. Count Dynar 
became the adopted father of a son, and no one in 
the Castle of Proczna, save the Almighty and the 
refugee, who witnessed the oath knew “the child 
became his own. 

It was the evening of the second day after the 
arrival of the Count’s singular guest that Count 
Gustav and the Pole sat over a glass of wine, await- 
ing 10 o’clock, the hour of the stranger’s departure. 

Silently Janek’s father gazed into the crystal 
depths of the glass in his small, aristocratic hand, 
while two proudly curved lips now and then hastily 
sipped the Burgundy. 

Then he raised his pale, finely cut countenance, 
and gazed fixedly into the Count’s eyes. 

“ Whether I shall ever be able to return to my 
native land, or be able to requite the tender mercy 
and kindness you have shown me. Count Dynar, God 
only, who orders the fate of men and nations, knows, 
not I. 

“Accept until the day of recompense my thanks 
in mere words, and be satisfied with the consciousness 
of having done a great, a noble action, which angel 
hands above must already have recorded. 

“ Your merciful instinct penetrated the mask which 


POLISH BLOOD. 


17 

misery, rags, flight through the thorny forests placed 
before the face of a true Kosymers. I have dared to 
lead the revolutionists under the ruins of Ostrolenka, 
in the very shadow of Poland’s fallen splendor, and 
for this am I a branded outcast ! You are a German 
Count, and cannot understand the sorrow of a Pole 
who has lost his freedom. Patience ! my beautiful 
but down-trodden Poland ! Patience ! until the young 
lion’s claws have grown strong, as his courage is 
bold. Oh, Poland, my glorious mother ! when wilt 
thou be free from shame and servitude ? What to 
me is banishment, death, destruction, if thou suffer? 
What to me is the foreign soil beneath my feet when 
my heart feels the tie that forever binds me to thy 
heart. The time will come when I shall return to 
thee again, rest in thy arms as a son of free, glorious 
Poland — Niechzyge Polska ! ” 

The insurgent had sprung from his seat, while a 
feverish glow burned in his cheek, and wild gleams of 
passion danced in his black eyes. With vehemence 
he lifted the glass on high, then at one draught swal- 
lowed the contents, and sent the crystal ringing upon 
the table. 

Count Dynar, involuntarily carried away by the 
eloquent violence of his guest, had also risen and car- 
ried his glass to his lips, yet with an earnest, measured 
dignity inspired rather by politeness than conviction. 
His blond head, with its quiet, almost cold counte- 
nance, offered a singular contrast to the violent one 
opposite, whose every feature vibrated with excite- 
ment. 

The one was true German blood, the other true 
Polish blood. 

“ In which direction do you think to direct your 
steps ? ” asked Gustav Adolph, after a short pause, 
warmly pressing the hand of the stranger, who had 
sunk back into his seat with a groan. 

“ At first it was my intention to seek an asylum iu 
Paris.” 


18 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Will you take your boy with you in this planless, 
uncertain life?” 

A deep and painful sigh answered him. “ Oh ! that 
I could hide this last sweet treasure in a safer place 
than that offered by fitful fate. Yet whither shall I go 
with him ? Woe to the tender human blossom when 
the storm of life has seized it — it has already torn one 
from my heart — poor, poor little Stefan ! ” 

Hot tears coursed over the wan cheeks of the 
speaker. 

Then Count Dynar, with a forced determination, 
said : “ Give Janek to me : I will adopt him.” 

The Pole shook convulsively as he gazed with a 
strange, bewildered expression into the face of the 
speaker, as he repeated mechanically “ Adopt ! ” 

“ Fate has denied me a son,” continued Count 
Dynar. “ My wife is dead, and those who knew her, 
and were able to understand my love for her, well 
know that I could never contract a second marriage. 
Still I wish an heir to my name. Janek has won my 
whole heart : I love the little boy. The time will 
come when he will share my possessions with my 
daughter — there is enough for two.” 

The form of the stranger shook with emotion. 

“Janek — my last — my dearest child — the only 
jewel that is left me of all I had. O, God, my Father, 
let me not lose this last one ! ” 

Then bowing his head low upon his hands he re- 
mained motionless several moments. 

“ Take my child until Poland shall rise again in all 
her ancient glory — and then — ^then, in God’s mercy, 
give me back my son,” cried the Pole, suddenly rising 
from his seat. 

“ When Poland rises again ! ” A melancholy smile 
played round the Count’s lips, and he shook his head 
sadly. “ Who knows whether we shall live to see it; 
whether it will ever rise. Enough ! If Poland ever 
regains her freedom, and you your rights and exalted 
position, may your son be free to unite our two names 
upon his escutcheon, but until then let me have sole 


POLISH BLOOD. 19 

possession of him. This complete renunciation is the 
noblest sacrifice your love can make.” 

The breast of the Pole almost panted with emotion. 

“ This means — that if I can lead my child back 
into his liberated country I may have the right to do 
so,” he cried, with flashing eyes. 

“And until then, you will give me your word as 
a man of honor, that you will not claim Janek?” 
Count Djmar extended his hand solemnly, and said : 
“ So give me your hand upon it.” 

Their two hands interlaced as they took the solemn 
oath. 

“ May God reward you a thousand-fold for all the 
blessing you confer upon my child.” 

“ Is Janek to know his real name ? ” 

The refugee shook his head. “ As long as Poland 
is ruled by the tyrant, his name will be but a curse to 
him, and the persecutions intended for me, the rebel, 
will be visited upon his innocent head. My bold 
efforts for liberty have thrown our escutcheon in the 
dust, and if I cannot restore it to him in all its spot- 
less purity and splendor, he would better lose it. 
Well, then, take Janek to your heart as a homeless 
child and give him the proud, honorable name of 
your house; and that you may know that it is not 
an ignoble branch you have engrafted upon your 
noble tree, learn, under an oath of eternal silence, 
the name of him who stands before you.” 

The Pole whispered a few words into the Count’s 
ear. Count Dynar bowed respectfully, and pressed 
the stranger’s hand. “ The name shall be buried in 
my breast until you yourself shall take the seal from 
my lips.” 

Again the mysterious guest of that stormy night 
bent over the coffin of his youngest child, which had 
been placed upon a bier in the chapel. Then, step- 
ping to the couch of the sleeping child, he gazed 
down long, long upon the young face. Tears rained 
unrestrained over his cheeks, and he buried his face 
in the silken coverlet and wept bitterly. 


20 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Farewell, my Janek ! Forgive your father, whose 
love compels him to leave you here in a strange land ! 
Uncertain and gloomy is my future, thorny the path I 
must wander — too hard and wearisome for your little 
feet. I shall leave you here, where love and luxury 
will hold you in tender arms. The exchange will be 
a blessing to you, as it is a curse to me — but your 
father’s heart will be yours, his prayers yours, and 
his every longing for you. Farewell — lost sunbeam 
of happiness. Again I will see you. Again — when 
Poland’s golden scepter shall rise once more. When 
the wanderer may return to his native land, shall I 
find you again.” 

The pale young man sprang wildly up and stared 
with glowing eyes down upon the sleeping child 
below. “Yeti shall find you unaltered, though a 
German element send its waves high above you, 
though a foreign soil and customs may estrange you 
from my heart, yet one thing in form and color re- 
mains unchanged — eternal, the magical spirit, the 
invisible band that unites a race of souls; that — that 
you can never deny — that a German kingdom can 
never murder in you — ^your Polish blood ! ” 

He warmly pressed the lips of the child again, then 
turned, proud and confident, toward the door. 

At the foot of the castle stairway a sleigh awaited 
him. 

Passionately the Pole embraced his host. “ God’s 
blessing upon you and my child ! ” Then he sprang 
into his conveyance, and, soundless as a shadow, the 
sleigh passed over the snow out into the dark, starless 
winter night. 


CHAPTER II. 

The heavy silken curtains before the windows of 
the great ancestral halls of Proczna were drawn aside 
and the pale, uncertain snow-light shimmered on the 
mosaic floor, designed after the Dynar coat of arms. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


21 


and preserved as one of the rarest and costliest works 
of art in the castle. On the walls, close together, 
hung the life-sized portraits of the lords of Proczna, 
in their carved frames, each bearing in one corner 
the coat of arms, and at the top an ornament of nine 
pearls. 

Small silver plates, set in the wood-work of each, 
gave the name, date of birth and death of the long 
departed. 

On the north wall, between the two oldest portraits 
— the one in the costume of a knight of the cross, 
the other of a lady — was unrolled a scroll, bearing 
the genealogical table of the Counts of Djnar. In 
the last space but one was written in a bold, proud 
hand — Gustav Adolph, born in 1800, V. III., espoused 
Anna Euphemia, Princess Tantenburg, heiress of 
Heller Humngen, born 1816, II. VI.,— f 1838. 

The cross and the number after it were written in 
a trembling, uncertain hand. Then in fresh black ink 
were indicated, a branch with two shields, spaces 
for the heirs that were to follow. 

In the center of the hall an altar had been erected 
and ornamented with costly ancient vessels of silver. 
Around about it was placed freshly -gathered cedar, 
upon whose branches still glistened the melting snow 
that fell in bright drops upon the soft carpet below. 
Near by stood a baptismal font upon a worm-eaten 
pedestal, carved from the cedar of Lebanon and in- 
laid with the wood of the olive, brought from the Holy 
Land by one of the ancestors of the house. 

As far back as memory or tlie family chronicles re- 
corded had the Counts of Dynar received in this 
place and from this font the blessings of Christian 
baptism, and here, in a few hours, the little daughter 
of the living Count was to take part in the same 
solemn ceremony, as her ancestors had done. 

Deep silence reigned in the spacious apartment. 
The dim light of the snowy, stormy day could 
scarcely break through the twilight of the great 
rooms. The white columns cast long shadows on 


22 


POLISH BLOOD. 


the marble floor, while the flames burned dimly red 
ill the tall candelabras. 

The Lord of Procziia paced restlessly to and fro, 
his footsteps wakening the echoes in the high 
arched ceiling, and grating softl}^ upon the marble 
floor. There was something singularly life-like in 
the proud earnest faces of his ancestors as their eyes 
seemed to follow him in the weird twilight. 

The resemblance of these Counts of Dynar was 
very strong. There were the same large, strong 
eyes, under high arched brows, the same intelligent 
forehead, over which fell the true German hair, 
blond, often reddish blond, which, with the women, 
was like a halo of gold. 

They were tall, majestic forms, whether in armor, 
or secular robe, in gold-laced coat, or embroidered 
uniform, all bore their heads high between their 
shoulders. The corners of the mouth curved just as 
proudly whether under the tall peruke, or under the 
careless hat of the hunter. An almost frozen repose 
lay upon their faces. Cold as the pearls and dia- 
monds upon the bosoms of the women, cold as the 
delicate blue veins that, like little serpents, circled 
their white brows. 

Silent, pitiless, their eyes stared down upon the 
last of their race, whose head sorrow had already 
flecked with white. 

Gustav Adolph’s gaze passed searchingly from face 
to face. He had entered this motionless, solemn 
circle to ask one of his beautiful ancestresses to stand 
god-mother to his lonely, deserted child. 

Which shall he choose? He had no other society 
in Proczna than these stiffly-costumed people, who, 
long ago, had passed into dust. Besides, who from 
the gay world would be willing to join the lonesome 
widower, in the baptismal ceremony of his child, in 
his snow-bound solitude? 

He had no relatives. The family of his wife lived 
at a great distance, far toward the south, so that 
there were none could come, even though they were 


Polish blood. 


23 


willing. Even for the aged pastor was it a sacrifice 
and a labor of love to journey a half a day through 
the ice and snow to pronounce a blessing upon the 
head of an infant. 

So there remained for him no other choice than to 
invite this company from times long gone by, in their 
hoop-petticoats, beauty plasters, clanking arms and 
gay courtiers’ costume. For a moment they seemed 
to step down from their dark frames and form a circle 
around the christening font, where they themselves 
in flesh and blood had stood, and whispering low, they 
bent in holy prayer over the tender blossom that had 
sprung from their ancient tree. 

But from which one of all these earnest, smiling, 
sad, or triumphant woman, should his little daughter 
receive her name ? 

Gustav Adolph gazed thoughtfully up at the por- 
trait before which he happened to be standing. 

Victoria Charlotte espoused to the reigning Count 
of Dusterburg and Ellusheyde — “ 1607 — f 1660,” 
said the silver-plate. 

High coiffure, surmounted with a broad diadem, 
great, wonderful eyes — but about the mouth, hard 
pitiless lines. Gustav Adolph remembered that the 
chronicles described her as a proud, warlike woman 
that had brought many a feud into the domain of 
Dusterburg. 

He bowed his head and went on. 

Christine Marie Annie, Lady Abbess of Hersabrunn, 
1611 — 11670, pale, emaciated features, and eyes so 
cold and colorless, they chilled the gazer. 

Here a laughing, charming little lady, with a dove 
on her shoulder, and roses in her lap — Cyprienne, 
Countess of Dynarne, n^e Marquise le Mans de Soi- 
conpierre. 

Pearly white teeth, nearly all showing — “pour 
paraitre jolie — pour plaire aux gardens,” sounds from 
a long-forgotten couplet in the Count’s ears — and on 
and on he goes from portrait to portrait ; not one as 
yet has touched his heart. 


24 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Presently he finds himself standing motionless, gaz- 
ing into a pair of dark, mysterious eyes. 

A slender, queenly figure, in white brocade and high 
lace collar, — wonderfully life-like, — seems to step 
from out the frame’s dark ground. Enchantingly 
lovely is the small, graceful head with its gold gleam- 
ing hair that falls in natural ringlets — and a wonder- 
ful contrast it forms with the dark eyes. 

Saucy and willful, yet unapproachably proud, is 
the expression of the face, and about the full lips seem 
to play mockery and caprice. A master’s hand must 
have painted this portrait, and the work must have 
been suddenly interrupted, for here below the train 
the foot and the carpet are only flittingly sketched. 

“ Xenia, Countess of Dynar, born 1560,” was the 
laconic inscription on the silver plate. No date of 
death, no intimation as to whether she was wife or 
maiden ? nothing. 

Gustav Adolph felt as though this charming woman 
would open her lips and laugh aloud, as though the 
pearl necklace on her bosom rose and fell with the 
quickly drawn breath .... there ! did not the little 
head turn coquettishly upon her neck — and the long 
lashes veil for an instant the eyes ? 

Foolish fancy ! A bird at that moment had flitted 
by the window and cast a shadow upon the portrait. 

Nevertheless the wonderful eyes seemed to follow 
him with their gaze, as Gustav steps to the genealogi- 
cal table to learn the life history of the Countess 
Xenia. 

It was twilight, and he was obliged to search long 
before he found it, among the faded, ancient hand- 
writing. At last he found her shield — Xenia, born 
1560 — nothing more, except she was the daughter of 
Josd Maxemillians and his consort — ^born Princess of 
Todtenwart. 

Perhaps she died a fearful death. There were 
frightful times at that period. Even the family his- 
tory was torn in places and incomplete. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


25 


The Lord of Proczna stepped back again to the 
portrait. 

“ Will you be my little daughter’s godmother, 
beautiful Xenia ? ” 

Long, long, he gazed upon her. 

And then he remembered how long his beloved wife 
had stood gazing at the same portrait, the first time 
he led her, a bride, through the hall. 

“ What a charming portrait,” she had exclaimed, 
in astonishment. “ The sweet face seems really to 
beckon to me, so astonishingly true to life is it — and 
oh ! see this hand, Gustav, have you ever seen one so 
beautifully formed ? ” 

At that time he had drawn her own slender, warm 
fingers to his lips, and exclaimed, “ See ! Yes, cer- 
tainly, I see them every day.” 

Later, when the inclement weather bound the suf- 
fering Countess to the house, she preferred to take her 
promenade through this gallery, and he had often 
found her apparently lost in a dream, standing before 
the picture. “She interests me very much,” she 
would say. 

Then his gaze hung with passionate affection upon 
the sweet features of the living Countess of Dynar, 
who had become the very essence of his being. 

“ Yes, she shall be called Xenia,” he murmured, as 
he abruptly turned and again paced, with bowed 
head, to and fro in the grave-like stillness of the great 
hall. 

He again approached the genealogical table and 
gazed thoughtfully down the long line of his ancestors 
till he came to the shield on which the name of Xenia 
should stand again — and next to it a second. 

Janek, or rather Henry Stefan, Count of Dynar, he 
was just about to write upon this. 

A new branch upon the ancient tree. Well he 
knew from what proud race had sprung the little 
plant he was about to engraft upon the ancient oak 
of the Dynars, and well he knew also the strange 


26 


POLISH BLOOD. 


wild nature of the little germ he was about to blend 
with his own race. 

“ Polish blood ! Bah ! This but a fable drawn from 
the poison of the story teller, who maintain ‘ blood 
will tell.’ Polish blood that circles through German 
veins will cool itself and forget its source. It is not 
blood, but education, that creates a nationality. Not 
the past, but the present, that dominates the charac- 
ter. Let us see whether this Polish branch will bear 
other leaves and fruit than the blood related to 
the crown of the tree, or whether the root which 
nourishes both will split because of this drop of 
foreign sap. 

“ Polish blood ! Who believes in such nonsense ! 

The tall wax candles flickered on the altar and the 
freshly-gathered cedar wafted their perfume, like 
sweet incense, through the wide hall of Proczna. 

Here in the faded baptismal robe, embroidered 
in the passion flowers, was borne the last Countess of 
Dynar. 

The words of the priest resounded like low organ 
notes through the spacious apartment. Heaven’s 
blessing fell in pearly drops upon the golden head of 
the infant, and from the portraits on the walls there 
seemed to steal a low murmur, as though the pow- 
dered heads and proud faces bowed themselves 
devoutly to pronounce their amen ! amen ! upon the 
last of their race. 

Upon the castle walls thundered the cannon, and 
Count Gustav Adolph knelt before the altar and 
buried his face in his hands. 

Then taking his little daughter in his arms he drew 
Janek to his breast, and prayed before the portrait 
of the Countess, which had been placed beside the 
baptismal font. 

With great, wondering eyes Janek gazed about 
him. Then stroking softly with his little hand the 
liead of his sister, upon which the strange dark man 
had scattered drops of water, he bowed over the child 
and tenderly kissed her. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


27 

Yet a wish rose in Gustav Adolph’s heart for the 
future or happier days, and the candles sank lower 
in their sockets, and finally those near the portrait 
of the Countess Xenia were extinguished. As the 
light grew dimmer it seemed to the Lord of Proc- 
zna as though the silent godmother extended her 
hand to him. — He took a step nearer — the flickering 
of the dying light had called forth the delusion. The 
portrait remained unaltered, cold and dead, with its 
great motionless eyes gazing down upon him. 

Gustav Adolph placed a sprig of cedar upon the 
frame, and seizing a pen, stepped to the genealogical 
table. 

“Xenia” — he wrote upon his daughter’s shield, for 
thus had the priest, in God’s name, baptized her — 
“ Xenia Anna Euphemia, born 28, 12, 1838.” Then 
he was just about to write the name of his adopted 
son in the vacant shield opposite. He placed his 
pen to write, stopped a moment, laid it down, and 
paced thouglitfully to and fro. 

Who or what should prevent him from giving the 
house of Dynar an heir, even though he were of 
foreign or Polish blood? 

He had given the fugitive father his solemn oath 
to adopt his son ; he would keep his word, for he 
loved the boy, and would give him the right as a son 
to a place in his house and heart. 

But Xenia? — He would lessen her inheritance for 
the sake of a stranger ; even then she would command 
princely wealth, and Janek would be no stranger to 
her. 

She would grow up with the thought that she had 
an own brother, and not until her majorit}^ should she 
learn from her father’s own lips the truth, if he lived 
to that period. 

Until then it remained to be seen whether Polish 
blood would deny itself. 

Then should Xenia from her own conviction and 
free will consent to have the name of “ Henry Stefan ” 
written near her own — perhaps — 


28 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Gustav Adolph threw the pen from him — 

“Perhaps my daughter may wish to choose the 
place for his name, herself,” he said, smiling to him- 
self : “ in the shield of a brother, or ... . God grant 
it!” And with bowed head, he wended his way 
through the dusky hall back into his study. 

The curtains fell before the great arched windows 
and dark shadows covered the golden blond head in 
the portrait of the Countess Xenia. 

Years went by. 

The two children of Count Dynar grew up to- 
gether in the solitude of Proczna. Although entirely 
different in temperament they clung to each other 
with the tenderest affection. 

To the followers of his household the Count had 
given strict orders that Janek’s origin should not be 
disclosed to the children. He had given the boy a 
son’s place in the household, and no one had a right 
to question the right of his determination. 

There had a heavy veil fallen over the events and 
the unfortunate guests of that stormy night. 

Jadwiga the Pole had remained with the little 
Countess. 

Many were the notes of wild love and hatred that 
lulled the blond daughter of the Count to her 
dreams, and glowing Polish blood it was that nour- 
ished her little body. 

Then the day came when the door of Count Dynar’s 
study opened, and two unsteady little feet faltered 
on the threshold, and then two rosy little arms ex- 
tended themselves toward the silent man. Jadwiga 
stood with a proud, self-satisfied smile in the door- 
way, and watched the little Xenia take her first in- 
dependent steps into life. 

At the same time she asked for her dismissal. 

Neither kind words nor money could induce her to 
remain longer at Proczua I She had only one answer 
as she humbly kissed the D3aiar hand : “ Let me go, 
my lord ! ” Quietly and hastily she fastened her 
bundle, then drawing the little one to her breast she 


POLISH BLOOD. 


29 


kissed the laughing face again and again, and mur- 
mured, I love you, child, in spite of all. Your 
breath and your golden hair are German, but I have 
filled your veins with Polish blood — ^you will not be 
able to deny it. The time will come when it will 
foam up into life — then when Poland shall rise from 
her ruins in all her splendor ! Niechzyge Polska ! ” 

Janek gazed wonderingly up at her, for he had 
heard the words, although pronounced in a whisper, 
but he did not understand their import. He won- 
dered why Jadwiga should be different from what she 
usually was, and throwing his arms around her neck 
he returned her caresses. Then taking her by the 
hand he accompanied her to the castle yard, saw her 
take her seat in the wagon silent and solemn as ever. 

The sunlight lay full upon her countenance. She 
gazed once more up at the Count, who wafted her 
another farewell from the window. The horses 
started and away went the wagon. Janek stood and 
gazed after it until the bright light pained his eyes. 
Then turning away impatiently, he ran to have a 
wild romp with his two great dogs in the meadow. 

The boy developed in a remarkably short time 
from a tender, almost weakly child, into a hearty, 
strong young fellow. The free, open life which the 
children led in the Castle park and neighboring heaths 
instilled a constant glow of life and strength in their 
young limbs. 

The difference in the natures of the two children 
began to manifest itself in a marked degree. 

Janek was a wild, almost untamed child. Mad 
sports were his delight. With widespread arms he 
caught the storms of the steppes ; they were his ele- 
ment ; he never considered, he acted ; and if he acted 
hastily, he repented laughing of liis hasty deed. If 
anything was too slow for him, he went at it with his 
fist. If he did not receive proper attention, he shook 
his dark locks and challenged for his rights. He knew 
neither fear nor care, and lived only for the moment. 
At the same time he was an exceedingly tender- 


30 


Polish blood. 


hearted little fellow ; with bitter tears he moistened 
the wounds he made, and with utmost efforts he 
tried to heal them, always full of remorse and tender- 
ness ; a friendly word was all powerful with him, it 
mattered not by whom spoken. 

Xenia carried her golden blond head far more 
stiffly and consciously upon her little shoulders. Her 
impetuosity was rather defiance, and her wildness 
domination. She did not throw herself as Janek upon 
her horse, jubilant with pleasure, to follow the hounds, 
but solely to force the unwilling steed to obedience ; 
she did not send the whip whistling through the air 
to punish, but to show she was mistress ; she did not 
run and climb with Janek for the wager because it 
gave her pleasure, but because she did not wish that 
he should excel her in anything. 

Xenia was an exceedingly reserved and proud 
little creature ; she was perfectly conscious who she 
was, and made a vast difference between herself and 
those who served her. She commanded Janek in the 
most absolute manner, and regarded as a matter of 
course that the boy, several years older than herself, 
should yield to her in everything, while she was toler- 
ably good to him when he yielded to her, and idolized 
her. 

One day some fortune-tellers came to the castle. 
Two brown, ragged children played upon the violin, 
and understood a number of amusing tricks. 

Janek was immediately filled with enthusiasm, 
warmly welcomed the little beggars and invited them 
as a matter of course to share in his sports. 

Xenia turned up her little nose, gazed over her 
shoulder at the young strangers, and asked: “Is 
your father a Count, and do you live in a castle like 
ours?’’ This not being the case, she turned and 
left the motley crowd, and thus renounced an unusual 
pleasure. 

No such idea entered Janek’s head. He romped 
and wrestled with his un aristocratic company in the 
greatest glee. At last, with glowing cheeks and dis- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


31 


ordered hair and clothing, he returned to tell his sister 
that the little clowns had taught him a number of 
new tricks, but the best of all was to force a horse to 
kneel, and then without a saddle to stand upon its 
back. The way to do that was to fix the feet firmly 
together in a certain place, then hold the arms tight 
against the body ; that would preserve the balance. 
Another day lie tried this trick of all tricks with all 
the zeal of his fiery nature, and fell again and again 
cheerfully upon his little nose, until he had accom- 
plished it. 

When Janek was seven years old. Count Dynar 
engaged a tutor for him. This gentleman complained 
of the boy’s frivolity in his studies, and that a boy of 
his talents and powers of conception should advance 
three times as rapidly as he did. For music he 
seemed to have a passion, and his tutor asked per- 
mission to give special attention to this talent. 

The Count agreed to this, and was soon astonished 
at the advancement made by his future heir in this 
art. Xenia also loved music, but she was not partic- 
ularly gifted with this talent, and when she realized 
this in her childish way, she would throw back her 
golden curls, clench her little hands, and weep aloud 
with anger. 

Very often after these passionate outbreaks Gustav 
Adolph would gaze down into the rosy face, to trace 
a resemblance to some one that had given her this 
fiery temperament. At last one day, after she had 
played a piece faultlessly through she rose, gazed at 
Janek half scornfully, half triumphantly ; he then 
knew Avhere he had seen those eyes before. Yonder 
in the great hall, in the portrait of the Countess 
Xenia. 

He smiled, and for the first time it occurred to him 
what a great beauty this child promised to become. 

On his twelfth birthday Janek was provided with 
a Professor of the classics and a major domo, while 
to the German teacher of the young Countess was 
added a French gouvernante. 


32 


POLISH BLOOD, 


There was more life now in Proczna, even though 
the Count grew more monosyllabic, withdrew oftener 
to his study, and only saw the strangers at the noon- 
day meal. People called him misanthropical, and 
pitied the poor children who were obliged to pass 
their hours of leisure alone in the gloomy rooms of 
the Tower. Still Count Dynar sat at his desk, com- 
pletely absorbed in his writing. Now and then his 
gaze would wander to the children and their play, 
and when they walked arm in arm or sat with their 
young faces touching each other, and chatted in 
their childlike, affectionate way, a smile like a ray of 
sunlight passed over the pale, worn features of the 
father. Then the eyelashes sank involuntarily over 
the eyes, and the sad man would lose himself in a 
strange sweet dream of their future. 

And softly Time lifted his pinions and hovered 
away over the Tower of Proczna. 

The heath burned red with the blossoms of the 
flame flower, which soon sank into brown ashes of 
mourning. Then the wind swept the white flakes 
hither and thither, under which the germ secretly 
sprouted, and again, another year saw the heath 
glowing red with the fragrant blossoms of the Erika. 


CHAPTER III. 

The bell in Proczna’s tower tolled mournfully 
over the lonely, sunny heath ; and the warm breath 
of the air, taking up the sound upon its wings, car- 
ried the story far over the forest, that Count Adolph, 
at that hour, was to be laid in the sepulcher of the 
Dynars. 

His sarcophagus had long stood by that of his dearly 
beloved wife, and yet the Lord of Proczna’s death 
was so sudden, it filled his household with terror. 

It was well known that the solitary man had long 
suffered from an affection of the heart which, like a 


POLISH BLOOD. 


33 


consuming poison, had fed on his life, and that the 
death of his wife had laid the seeds of the disease. 

No word of complaint, however, was ever heard 
from the Count’s lips, and no steps were taken to 
arrest the progress of the disease. Indifferent to 
himself he lived in the memory of the one he had 
most truly loved, and the only signs of his sufferings 
were the whitening of his hair and the deepening 
lines of his countenance. 

He had been laboring with unceasing industry 
upon a work in whose interest he had obtained his 
release from the service of the State, and with the 
full approval of his wife he had retired to his lonely 
possessions to devote his whole time to its comple- 
tion. It was only during the last few weeks before 
his death that a nervous unrest seemed to seize him, 
he wished for the presence of his children and seemed 
to double his marks of tenderness and affection for 
them. Often he would draw the head of the young 
Countess back and gaze anxiously into her great 
dark eyes. 

She was a Dynar, and he could scarcely expect 
anything else from her than the cold pride he saw in 
her face. 

Now and then a warm, bright light of deeper feel- 
ing seemed to stir in the beautiful eyes, and then 
Gustav Adolph would breathe more lightly and 
dismiss his troubled thoughts. 

One day several strange gentlemen, officers of the 
State, a lawyer and a notary, were received at 
Proczna; then followed a long consultation in the 
apartments of the Count ; papers were brought forth 
and the odor of sealing-wax was perceived about the 
table. 

Count Dynar was ordering his household affairs 
for the last time. 

In the meanwhile the lady’s maid, Gustine, stole 
quietly now and then through the corridors, and then 
had many things to whisper in old Ewald’s ear. 

“He has fixed it now,” she muttered, angrily; 

3 


34 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ lie has given a warm place to- the cuckoo in the 
nest of our little dove ! If the Countess could see 
this she would turn in her very grave ! What folly 
to rob his own flesh and blood for the sake of that 
beggarly brat ! . . . Yes, beggars. Polish rabble !!”... 
and Gustine drew her apron so angrily through her 
hands that it snapped — she had never liked the 
haughty boy, who bore himself with all the confidence 
of a born Count. 

Gustine’s was an exceedingly conservative mind ; 
Xenia beat and scratched her, and yet she bore it all 
without a murmur, for it was a mark of her race, and 
she would have borne any wound from a real 
Countess, that had been laid in her arms by a mother 
who was a Princess. Janek, on the other hand, had 
never given her a harsh word ; at the most, he had 
only practiced a little harmless teasing upon her ; 
but this had enraged her, and made her hate the boy ; 
for was he not a beggar, picked up on the public 
highway — even much less than herself ? It was plain 
to be seen that he was a nobody, otherwise he would 
have acted as Xenia did. 

So on this delightful, sunny spring day. Count 
Gustav Adolph closed his eyes forever. 

The guardian of the two orphaned children, Baron 
von Drach, a life-long friend of Gustav Adolph, 
liastened to the house of mourning. After arranging 
the unordered affairs of the Count, he released the 
Professor from his duties, as the Count some time 
before had expressed his intention of sending Janek 
the following fall to a military school. 

The young Countess was to find a second home in 
his own house. Everything was to remain unchanged 
until autumn ; — then were the doors of the castle to 
be closed until Janek reached his majorit}^, and at 
liberty to take possession of his father’s inheritance. 

At this declaration Xenia accidentally gazed up 
into Gustine’s face and was almost frightened at the 
expression she saw. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


35 


Over the blooming heath hovered a sweet, myste- 
rious fragrance. Bright butterflies cradled themselves 
in the sunshine ; from the tall broom-brushes came 
the varying song of insects, and through the grass 
glowed the bright pebbles. Far, immeasurably far, 
stretched the steppes of East Prussia. 

Sidewards extended the dark forests, over which 
the towers of Proczna lifted themselves high in the 
air, and farther to the left, against the brilliantly 
lighted horizon, the sheep-folds, in which the flocks 
were driven during summer nights, stood out in bold 
relief. 

Janek roved by the hour on his flying steed over 
the plains. It was his delight to storm forth into 
God’s world, planless and unrestrained; he felt as 
though there was nothing to hinder him, though 
he wished to grasp the glowing sun ball with his 
hands, wager a race with the autumn storm, catch 
the bullet before it reached its goal ; and proud and 
free as the gods of the ancient Germans in their im- 
petuous chase, the heir of Proczna, slender and sup- 
ple, sat in his saddle with flying hair and dancing 
eyes, as though grown to his horse’s back. 

Often had Xenia, while attempting to keep pace 
with him upon his unsaddled, untamed steed, said 
with a provoked air : “You do not ride in an aristo- 
cratic fashion, Janek — not like a Count, but like a 
wild Indian I ” — and yet he had often surprised the 
little Countess in some lonely spot endeavoring to im- 
itate his horsemanship. 

And woe to him if he dared to laugh at her. 

One day Janek had taken a roundabout way over 
the steppes through the forest after a fox, which he 
followed until it had taken refuge in a cozy burrow. 

Then springing upon his foaming steed, he plucked 
a few May-bells, to throw, unseen, into the lap of his 
almost idolized sister. He knew that she sat some- 
where on the edge of the forest with her book, await- 
ing his return. Dismounting, he carefully led his 
horse through the low-hanging branches of the fir 


36 POLISH BLOOD. 

trees, in order to creep up behind her unawares. 

Right — not far from him, he saw her white dress 
fluttering in the breeze. 

He stood motionless and gazed long upon her. 
Never had Xenia appeared to him so beautiful — so 
whimsical — unlike herself. 

Her slender, childishly thin figure seemed to emerge 
suddenly, like some water-sprite, from out a sea of 
green leaves — and he remembered to have read a 
fairy tale called “ Loreley, the fair Sorceress,” that 
combed her golden hair at sunset upon the rocks — 
and at this moment Xenia also threw back her shin- 
ing locks from her brow with impatient hand — just 
as the lovely enchantress upon the rocky ledge of the 
Rhine — and Janek covered his eyes with his hand. 

Nearer and nearer he crept, with the intention of 
throwing the May-bells over her head into her lap, 
and then laughing jubilantly to see the dark eyes 
look up astonished, perhaps glow with displeasure 
at the disturbance — if he could only see those eyes ! 
— If, indeed, those eyes only had one glance for him. 
The enchantress Loreley I 

She had her back turned toward him. The tall 
shrubbery hid her from view and formed a wall be- 
tween the children of Count Dynar. Nearer and 
nearer Janek approached — he heard her voice. 

“You should and must tell me the truth, Gustine ; 
I command it ! ” Yes, it was the proud, cold voice of 
his sister, and near her — Janek could see a black 
dress and some knitting, through the blackberry 
bushes — near her sat Gustine. 

“ I dare not. Countess, the Count has forbidden it. 
Bah, what good would it do now. The cuckoo is 
already signed and sealed into your nest, and the only 
thing for you to do is to keep still and submit to it.” 

“ Whom do you mean by the cuckoo — not Janek ? ” 

“Who else?” 

“ How dare you call my brother an interloper ? ” 
Xenia rose from her seat, and her lips trembled. 

“ Your brother ? ” and Gustine laughed aloud. “ As 


POLISH BLOOD. 


37 


true as there is a God in heaven, if he were your 
brother I would not give him such a name.” 

Janek felt as stunned as though some one had given 
him a severe blow in the face. Mechanically he fell 
upon his knees, leaned his arms upon a rock and lis- 
tened with cheeks glowing with rage. 

“What do you mean? ... You are so singular, 
Gustine,” . . . And Xenia’s voice trembled, and her 
book fell clattering on the mossy rock below. 

“ Have you never wondered where Janek gets his 
black hair ? Does the memory of man show such a 
negro in the family as he ? Did it never occur to 
you how very different the fellow is from you? You 
two are like night and day, ha, ha. You may believe 
it or not that he is your brother — I know what I 
know.” 

Dark shadows hovered before Janek’s eyes ; he 
was about to spring upon the hissing viper that 
robbed him of honor and name, and with one blow 
of his fist crush her to the earth, and yet he bit his 
teeth deep into his lip, and forced himself to listen 
further. 

He wanted to hear it all — all. And pressing his 
face deep into the cool moss, he felt as though his 
heart would burst in his breast. 

Then Gustine gave an account of that stormy 
night twelve years before ; of the Polish rabble, taken 
in by Gustav Adolph, that begged for shelter on the 
threshold of Proczna ; of the sleeping boy enveloped 
in rags ; of the fleeing father, the rebel, the insurg- 
enten, who could -not bear the light of day ; the 
vagrant ; of the starving people. 

And Xenia cried aloud with shame and anger : “ I 
will not bear it. Never! Father, father ! how could 
you lower your spotless, honorable race into the very 
dust. My brother the son of a Polish beggar? The 
heir of Proczna taken up from the lowest stratum of 
a foreign people ? and that I — I ! — Oh, Gustine — 
how I hate this cuckoo in the nest I ” 

Springing from her seat, she pressed her balled 
hands passionately against her temples, 


38 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Gustine — the world should learn of it. . . . if 
it should point its finger to the stain upon my escut- 
cheon — I could not bear the shame ! ” 

“ Shame ! ” like a shrill cry, was borne by the air 
over the quiet heath, and “shame,” like an echo, 
trembled again in Janek’s bleeding heart. 

“ Do not worry yourself about that. Countess. I’ll 
not tell it, and I know Ewald will not. Then how 
should the world know it ? And as for Janek him- 
self ? Bah ! when he reaches his majority, and 
learns from the Count’s papers who he really is, he’ll 
have sense enough to keep quiet about it.” 

With eyes hashing defiance, Janek raised his head 
and shook his fist at the speaker. 

And the heath below swam in a sea of red from 
the fiame flower, and above the heavens blazed with 
a banner of purple and gold, as the form of the 
enchantress Loreley outlined itself white in the midst 
of all this fiery glow. 

“ Shame ! Shame ! ” mocked the wind through the 
branches of the fir trees. 

The shadows of night sank deeper and deeper over 
forest and steppe, the night dews purled upon the 
leaves — then hushed silence. 

The heir of Proczna slowly lifted his dark head 
from the ground. 

“ She is not my sister ! ” An expression of pain 
passed over his face, and his breast rose with the 
deeply drawn breath — not my sister ! 

He turned and gazed toward the towers of Proczna. 
His thoughts flew far into the future — he saw the 
flags upon the towers waving in the breeze to greet 
the heir of the Count of Dynar, gay, hypocritical lies 
bidding him welcome to soil and castle — ^him, the 
stain, “ the cuckoo in the nest! ” And Janek laughed 
aloud. “On that day we will break off sorceress 
Loreley,” he cried aloud in the still night. 

Then, proudly raising his head, he walked on — the 
Maybells died under his feet and lay withered and 
broken upon the moss — no one thought no w of pluck- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


39 


ing them and casting them as a love greeting into 
some one’s lap — the tokens of love were forgotten. 

The next morning Janek stepped into his sister’s 
room. 

She sat by the open window with her head bowed 
over her drawing. The bright sunlight fell obliquely 
over her neck and the two thick braids in which her 
golden hair was bound, while the slender vine that 
filled in the high arched window rocked itself to and 
fro in the May air. 

“ Good day, Xenia ! ” 

Soft and tender sounded his voice to her ear. She 
raised her head, and an icy, unapproachable expres- 
sion met his gaze, and for the first time in his life it 
appeared to him as though there was something 
about the countenance and being of this twelve-year- 
old girl that was not at all childlike. 

“ What do you wish ? ” she replied in a haughty 
tone. 

Janek leaned against the ebony table and gazed 
keenly into her eyes. 

“ I have a surprise for you in the garden — some- 
thing to please you — come down.” 

She curled her lips : “ No, I do not wish any of 
your favors ! ” 

“Very well. Do you not remember that splendid 
apple-tree that was struck by lightning? We feared 
that it would die, and you laughed at me when I 
grafted a new branch in the crown, for this branch 
was from a different kind of a tree. Come down 
and see what a miracle has happened.” 

The dark eyes flashed angrily upon Janek. Xenia 
rose, threw her pencil upon the table, and passed by 
him through the door. 

The foreign branch upon the apple-tree was full of 
lovely blossoms. 

She gazed at it and bit her little teeth deep in her 
lips ; a nameless annoyance seemed to possess her.^ 

“ Poor tree, to be obliged to suffer such a parasite 
in its pith I ” 


40 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Janek drew his eyebrows together — “ And miser- 
ably to perish if this intruder had not given it new 
life,” he said. 

‘‘ Better to perish than to preserve its life by such 
a pitiable remedy,” she cried, impetuously ; “ better 
to sink true and unstained into the earth than shame 
its crown by a branch of a meaner sort ! In Proczna’s 
soil and home shall no unfitting element blend itself 
— no new branch nourish its blossoms upon the old 
roots. I will not have it — I shall not submit to it 
— Do you hear, Janek? I will not suffer it.” 

And with a passionate gesture she tore the riding- 
whip from his hand, struck the limb — and sent the 
blossoms, torn and broken, to the ground. 

“ Xenia ” — he shook the slender form — “ this blos- 
soming branch was my greatest pleasure, the reward 
of months of careful attention, and the last object 
our beloved father visited before his death, and now 
you, in your malice and wilfulness, cast it into the 
dust. — Beg my pardon, you bad-tempered girl ; I de- 
mand it ; I will have it, and my will is as strong as 
yours.” 

Angrily she sought to free herself from him ; then 
suddenly becoming motionless, she threw back her 
head and laughed aloud. Scorn, defiance and con- 
tempt seemed to follow each other in her expression, 
just as they did in the portrait of her beautiful an- 
cestress. 

Beg pardon, — of you ? ” there was something very 
wounding in the expression of these few words — her 
young form seemed to grow. 

“ If you can lay any claims to being a reasonable 
creature, you will see how hateful your conduct has 
been, and you will excuse yourself.” 

Janek forced himself to speak in a calm tone, yet 
his lips trembled, and his words bore impress of 
command. 

With a cold contemptuous look she gazed at him 
from head to foot. “ No,” she muttered between 
her closed teeth. “ Do not dare to touch me, — ^let 


POLISH BLOOD, 


41 


me go, — you — you,” — and she stopped ; a sudden 
pallor passed over her features. Oh ! what a curse 
her owu pride was, that prevented her from fear of 
the world, from casting into his face the words that 
would annihilate him. 

Janek had watched her narrowly, and an almost 
triumphant gleam flashed from his eyes. He pressed 
her arm more firmly. “For the last time — think 
what you have done,” he murmured. 

“ No ! no ! ” — and again “ No.” 

Then something unheard of in the lives of both 
occurred. The switch in his hand whistled through 
the air and fell upon the white hand of the Countess, 
and there marked a broad red band. Then giving 
her hand its freedom, with unmoved countenance, he 
stepped a few paces from her, 

A half-suppressed cry burst from her lips — as horror 
and astonishment depicted themselves alternately in 
every feature, — quivering from head to foot and pale 
as death, she tried to speak — in vain, she could only 
pant and press her lips together. She tried to raise the 
clenched, branded hand in revenge against his head, 
but tremblingly let it sink, while tears of wounded 
pride came into her eyes. Then throwing back her 
head and breathing more freely, she turned her back 
to him. 

This was the first blow in punishment that had 
ever been given to the young Countess of Dynar. 
Janek, in the meanwhile, had ceased to regard her, 
and had turned with the calmest manner in the world 
to the broken blossom branch, which he tenderly 
raised. He seemed perfectly indifferent as to the 
effect of the blow — even more indifferent than if it 
had been dealt to an untamed steed or an undisci- 
plined hound, for these creatures in the end generally 
exhibit some sense, and try to overcome their faults ; 
but the stubborn little red head with the defiant brow 
would show no reason at all. 

Yet as Xenia’s footsteps died away upon the sunny 
pebbled path, he turned his hand and gazed after her. 


42 


POLISH BLOOD. 


A deep sigh arose from his breast ; it seemed as 
though the blow had struck his own heart, it pained 
him so. 

Bowing his head tenderly over the so cruelly de- 
stroyed blossoming branch, he gazed thoughtfully 
down into a leafless calex. Suddenly it seemed to 
him as though he held his own picture before his eye. 
A foreign branch upon a foreign tree, withered by 
the pitiless hand of fate in its first tender blossom- 
ings — and whirled into life. 

Janek pressed his hand to his breast ; he hardly 
understood what it was that stormed so within — 
something like a fatal, anxious dream — and here in 
his heart had a tender blossoming fiower sunken in 
the dust. 

Then with an expression strong with resolution, as 
the mast of a careening ship that knows it must 
weather the storm and the fiood, he raised his head 
while an expression of defiance and scorn played 
round the corners of his mouth. 

From that day a marked change was to be noticed 
in the conduct of the children toward each other. It 
seemed as though some magical infiuence had made 
them forget the tenderness they had mutually shown 
each other in the past. For weeks Janek and Xenia 
never exchanged a word. Unapproachably cold she 
stood before him ; and if she looked at him it was 
with an expression as though she would annihilate 
him. 

And Janek, the mild, affectionate boy, whose 
greatest pleasure had always been to obey the slight- 
est wish of his adored sister, who never contradicted 
her, never had a harsh word for her, and with an 
angel’s patience endured her rudeness and caprices, 
now seemed to have become another person. He 
tyrannized over her, opposed her will whenever he 
could, paid her like for like, and made her painfully 
aware that he was the older, and the Lord of Proczna. 

Then his laughing eyes would glow with a strange 
light when he saw her almost gnash her teeth and 


POLISH BLOOD. 


43 


rebel against the fetters with which her own arro- 
gance had burdened her. 

She dared not inform the vagrant of his low origin, 
for with his plebeian mind she did not doubt he would 
take delight in publishing to all the world, that which 
was shame to her and triumph for him. What dif- 
ference did it make to him ? He was the Count of 
Dynar, and would remain so. 

But Xenia could not endure the idea of seeing her 
noble, ancient race degraded by such people. There- 
fore she preferred to suffer with all the singular, iron 
energy which was peculiar to her, the daily annoy- 
ance and insults of the one she hated rather than 
trample her pride under her feet. 

A feeling of intense bitterness against her father 
seemed to have seized her ; and instead of accompany- 
ing Janek to strew her parents’ tomb with flowers as 
was her daily wont she allowed him to go alone and 
bent with darkened brow over her studies. 

At first, Gustine thought she also could treat the 
^‘cuckoo in the nest” as she called Janek, with open 
affront, believing she had to deal with the same good- 
natured Janek of old, but she had missed her reckon- 
ing. 

Almost horrified, she bounded back from him, one 
day, after having received a ringing blow on the ear, 
in reply to an impertinent command. And when she 
complained to his guardian of his treatment, he only 
reproved her for her unbecoming behavior toward 
Janek, after which she fairly foamed in secret with 
venom and gall. 

Her pleasant days were now over. She w\as not 
only obliged to suffer Xenia’s passionate outbreaks 
of temper, but also Janek’s treatment, who never for 
a moment allowed her to forget she was other than a 
servant. 

Instead of “ If you please,” it was “ I command 
you.” Not a soul in the house was treated as harshly 
as she. 

Yet every person in the castle, except Xenia and 


44 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Gustine, showed the most sincere devotion for him, 
and would have sworn, by him. 

At last the day arrived when the heir of Proczna 
was to leave his quiet home for a year and take his 
place in a military academy. Slowly he and his 
guardian descended the great stairway to take their 
places in the traveling carriage. 

Close behind them came the domestics of the house- 
hold, who with sincere tears waved a good-bye with 
their hats and handkerchiefs. 

Leaning against one of the columns of the door- 
way stood the young Countess with crossed arms, 
pale and indifferent. His countenance, with its fine, 
somewhat pale features, had never before to her ex- 
hibited such a challenging, haughty expression as it 
did in this moment when, with uncovered head, he 
extended his hand to say good-bye. 

Yes, he had dared to offer his hand, when she still 
felt the burning pain of the blow he had given her. 

She crossed her arms more firmly over her breast, 
threw back her little head, and frostily said adieu. 

“ To-day you refuse to shake hands with me, as 
though I were some one you despised,” he said softly ; 
“ when I see you again in this place perhaps you will 
regret it.” 

She laughed scornfully aloud. Janek, however, 
with a loud, hearty good-bye to all down the stair- 
way, sprang into the carriage and standing upright, 
returning the greetings of Proczna, as long as his 
gaze could reach the old, lonely castle. 

And the dark forests of fir rose like a dividing wall 
between that hour and the future. 


POLISH BLOOD, 


45 


CHAPTER IV. 

Years have passed by. Lonely and unchanged lay 
the plains ; again the heath flower was in bloom, and 
over Proczna arched the heavens like a vast blue 
dome. 

Gray and darkly defiant rose the huge walls of the 
castle against the blue sky, and although the sun 
poured its splendor over it, yet it blinked like an old 
morose face, full of forced friendliness in the bright 
light ; or just like an aged grumbler, to whose eyes 
the firelight is painful, yet nearer draws because he 
needs its warmth. 

And how very whimsical such an old, ill-humored 
fellow appears when a sudden idea seizes him to rum- 
mage in some almost forgotten chest for the gay non- 
sense of youth, to adorn his wrinkled limbs. 

The towers of Proczna opened its long closed win- 
dow eyes wide with astonishment, as suddenly one 
day, hurrying to and fro and babbling of domestics 
from garret to cellar were heard. Then the proud 
banner of the Dynars rolled out into the blue air, and 
rose for very joy straight toward the heavens. 

The terrace of the castle was transformed into a 
blooming garden. A number of orange trees, the 
remains of a long vanished, gorgeous conservatory, 
spread their white blossoms in the different landing 
places of the great winding stairway, at the foot of 
which lay two mighty lions, real colossi, holding in 
their mossy clutches the arms of the Counts of 
Dynar. 

Fresh green cedar, intermingled with rare flower- 
ing plants which the inventive gardener had trans- 
planted in tubs and placed upon the stone pavement, 
formed gay pyramids upon the terrace walls, while 
over them, between flag-covered masts, swung bright 
garlands ; these were continued through the whole 


46 


POLISH BLOOD. 


length of the linden alleys which extended through 
the park to the castle. 

From the domestics’ quarters came sounds of mirth 
and song, interbroken by the music of the violin and 
the flourish of trumpets. The village musicians had 
arrived in their Sunday costumes, and now and then 
practiced before the house of the steward. Kegs of 
beer rattled along the pebbled pathway, and most en- 
ticing odors came from the domestics’ kitchen. 

“ Hurrah ! hurrah ! Long live our young master.” 

And’ far and wide the cry was reechoed through 
the still, clear morning’s air. 

The white hand that supported itself upon the 
banister trembled violently as Xenia raised her head 
to listen. “ Hurrah ! hurrah ! ” again resounded. 
The sun steeped the head of the young Countess 
in dazzling light, yet it was unable to banish 
the deep shadows which flitted over her charming 
countenance. 

A contemptuous smile played round her mouth as 
she still more haughtily raised her head. The Coun- 
tess Xenia was in her eighteenth year, yet she gave 
the impression of being a fully developed woman. 
She had never been a child ; therefore how could one 
expect a defiant, self-reliant, precocious little girl to 
bloom into tender young maiden ? 

Xenia was neither a lily nor a rose, but rather a 
tall imperial lily fully conscious of her importance. 
This “last of the Dynars,” with her golden head 
borne upon the haughtiest of necks, was in form, 
like some beautiful Juno. 

Yet the contrast which the large, dark eyes, veiled 
by the long lashes, formed with the bright hair, was 
perfectly charming. Every feature was perfect in 
its beauty, and yet it seemed as though this majestic 
presence were wanting in something, as though a 
warm ray must come to melt the ice, which had bound 
her in its mold ; as though some gentle hand must 
touch the stony countenance and vivify the marble. 

The Countess Xenia resembled the ideal creation 


POLISH BLOOD. 


47 


of Pygmalion, which needed but one thing to attain 
the perfection of all-conquering beauty — a soul. 

Light footsteps approached the Countess Xenia. 

Then the bowed and shriveled form of the Baron 
Von Drach glided before her, after the manner of a 
practiced old courtier, as he was, and bowed his head, 
with its few plastered gray hairs, so cavalierly low 
that the long line of orders decorating his breast 
jingled aloud. 

“ You called me, ma chere^’’— and the Lord Cham- 
berlain held his perfumed handkerchief to his lips, 
and gave a little, low, dry cough. “ I raised a great 
deal of dust among the archives in going through the 
deeds — exceedingly interesting — very valuable papers 
among them — but a great deal of dust, a frightful 
quantity of dust, and bad air, which, with my asthma, 
is unbearable to me ; and then besides it is the work 
of the Danaidae. I told you so from the beginning, 
my dear Xenia — there is absolutely nothing to be 
dene. I pray you, then, with your colossal fortune, 
of what importance to you are these East Prussian 
possessions — this crow’s nest that has been given to 
your adopted brother — the whole half of your father’s 
fortune is only a valuable pearl from your treasury, 
in comparison with the vast estate left you by your 
deceased mother ! ” And the Baron coughed again, 
and made a motion with his fine batiste handkerchief, 
as much as to say, “ Let us drop it.” 

Xenia’s white brow showed signs of displeasure as 
she replied, in an irritated tone : “ I can scarcely be- 
lieve you are in earnest, uncle, when you ascribe such 
a contemptible sentiment to me, and I hope you un- 
derstand me better than you appear to do. I should 
not have called your service as cavalier into requi- 
sition for the sake of saving a few miserable dollars. 
God be praised that the Dynars never made them- 
selves slaves to such degrading interests.” 

“ But, mon ange — I cannot understand — what 
other motive ?” — And the little, shriveled up form of 
the Lord Chamberlain supported itself first on one 


48 


POLISH BLOOD. 


foot and then on the other. “ Great heaven ! it is 
no bagatelle to attack a testament, and without every 
proof in your possession, to begin a lawsuit.” — 

Xenia’s eyes flashed angrily down upon the speaker. 

“ Please do not indulge in any of your meditations, 
uncle ; they threaten to become visionary,” she inters 
rupted, almost rudely. “ I asked you to read through 
the will, in order to And some clause referring to the 
right of heirship, with the sole idea of flnding there- 
in a single point which would give us the right to set 
aside my father’s testament on the point of heirship ; 
but so far as the will refers to his capital, not a single 
claim do I wish disturbed. I desire to know whether 
my — my — the adopted son of my father has the right 
to bear our name in the future.” 

Baron Von Drach shrugged his shoulders and drew 
his pinched lips closer together. 

“ And that cannot be altered, dear child ; that 
point of all others. Your deceased father not only 
received special permission from His Majesty, but the 
legally attested acceptance of the conditions from 
his only living cousin, Dagobert, who died a bachelor, 
while an attach^ at Constantinople, and he made 
Janek’s claims more than secure. You will now 
perceive that these beautiful little hands, in spite of 
all their energy, will not be able to remove such 
mountainous obstacles out of their pathway.” 

“ God pity me ! ” broke like a suppressed cry of 
angry desperation from the lips of the Countess, and 
raising her white hands she shook them with such 
impotent fury that her bracelets clinked aloud. 
“ Why have I such pitiable, weak, feminine hands, in 
which the honor of a whole race rests ! Why am I 
not a man ! Why was I born, if the power to defend 
the name I bear was denied me ! ” 

The chamberlain polished the glasses of his lor- 
gnette, and then carefully removed with the tips of 
his Angers a blossom leaf which had flown upon his 
spotless black coat. 

“ But why do you excite yourself, ma petite? 


POLISH BLOOD. 


49 


What in the world can you lose if your fine old name 
be transmitted by a young man of whom we all have 
so much hope as Janek? His brilliant examina- 
tion, extraordinary talents and distinguished appear- 
ance ” — 

“ Uncle ! ” — Xenia laid her hand heavily upon the 
old gentleman’s arm — “ in the letter which my father 
wrote to you at that time concerning Janek, did he 
speak to you of his origin ? ” 

Drach looked up startled. “ Origin, h — m. . . I. . . 
remember something. . . half cloudy. . .1 was of the 
opinion. . . but hold ! Ah ! yes, I have the letter with 
me to give to the lawyers. Excusez. . . I must open 
my coat. . . here ” — and the chamberlain drew out of 
his breast pocket a package of papers tightly bound 
together, and stepping to the stone parapet, he 
hurriedly ran through the leaves in confused haste. 

“ This is papa’s writing, and this letter must be 
the one — if you will allow ! ” But without waiting 
further the girl’s slender hand reached over the 
shoulder of the small man, and seizing a leaf, un- 
folded it, and with her quick eye hurriedly ran over 
the faded lines. 

Baron Drach was too small to be able to read it with 
her at the same time, although he attempted to do so 
standing on his tip-toes. 

“ Well, please read that aloud, Xenia,” he urged 
eagerly. The Countess let the paper sink to the floor 
and the Lord Chamberlain picked it up and read 
“ Janek is the son of a man whom I highly respect 
and esteem in spite of a very great difference of 
opinion, and spite of his participation in a political 
movement to which I was opposed, and in which he 
was very much concerned. (Janek is a Pole.) My 
word of honor forbids my giving you further particu- 
lars concerning my adopted son. Yet I hope, my 
dear old friend, that you will without further com- 
ment receive the young man with the most sincere 
friendship, as I have the tenderest affection for him, 
and he is as dear to my heart as my own child.” 


50 


POLISH BLOOD. 


The Baron read these words over again, loud and 
solemnly. Then gazing anxiously up at the young 
Countess, he rpechanically gathered the papers to- 
gether again. 

“ He gives no name — nothing, nothing at all about 
the family — but I thought — ” 

“ What o’clock is it ? ” asked Xenia, interrupting 
him short. 

Almost startled by her tone, the chamberlain was 
about to inform himself, but noticing some dust which 
had fallen from the stone parapet on his finger-tip he 
took his long, sharp, carefully cultivated nails and 
removed it, and then felt complaisantly for his gold 
chain. 

“ Aha ! cliarmante^ just 11 o’clock to the minute.” 

“ Good. Then we still have an hour before the 
arrival of this — Pole!” and Xenia raised her head 
with that laugh which was peculiar to her when she 
wished to express her haughty contempt of a person. 

“ Give me your arm, my dear uncle, and let us 
take a short promenade through the park. I would 
like to finish my remarks about the written communi- 
cations concerning the future heir of Proczna, and as 
walls often have ears ” — and her gaze wandered over 
the front of the castle, through whose wide open 
windows blew the curtains — ‘^and as I wish my com- 
munication by all means to remain a secret, I con- 
sider it advisable to give you my confidence under the 
green crowns of the lindens, where only the discreet 
bees and butterflies can play at eavesdropping.” 

“ Confidence — secret communications ! ” and the 
sparsely covered head of the old courtier drew nearer 
to her, as though it had been electrified. “ Oh ! I 
am intensely interested. I begin to comprehend. 
May I ask your arm, mon ange^'' and he shuffled 
hastily down the grand staircase, towards the 
shadows of the linden alleys. 

The head of the Countess glinted like bright gold 
as she passed along, just as her ancestress did over 
yonder in the portrait gallery when the sunbeams 


POLISH BLOOD. 


51 


trembled through the half-shaded windows. Gustine 
had observed with malicious pleasure that her young 
mistress had given more than usual care to her toilet, 
and she rubbed her hands and tittered spitefully to 
herself : 

“ The eyes of the Maijo’s beggar prince will over- 
flow when he sees the Countess Dynar. How small 
he will look before the majesty of this white swan — 
so small, he will feel like stooping in the dust before 
lier ! Ha ! ha ! . . . Polish blood shoots directly from 
the eyes down into the heart, and the fire it there 
kindles will rise in burning flames to the brain. What 
joy ! What triumph if he should be frozen to death 
by this coldest of all German Countesses,” . . . and 
Gustine placed the lovely pearl necklace with nervous 
haste around the neck of the white swan. 

And singularly appropriate was this name for 
Xenia. 

And as she passed through the sunshine, rather re- 
clining than being led by the chamberlain ; as the 
delicate, transparent lace robe that flowed round her 
slender limbs like silver plumage, undulated with 
every breeze and rippled like foamy water upon the 
sanded pathway far behind her, she truly resembled 
the queenly swan with the golden diadem upon its 
head in the fairy tale of the enchanted castle. 

Xenia had bowed her head low to her companion, 
and eagerly and continuously whispered into his ear, 
while a warm glow rose to her cheeks and overspread 
her beautiful countenance. 

“ The child of a Polish fugitive, picked up from 
the public road, without a name, even without honor 
itself, for the son of a rebel is branded through every 
drop of blood that makes him one with his father — 
this plebeian, uncle, shall be the heir of Proczna, the 
bearer of our name ; shall be my brother ! ” The 
young Countess remained standing, pressed her slen- 
der hands against her temples and fairly panted as 
she breathed, while her limbs seemed to tremble as 
though with a chill. 


52 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Oh! oh! ” and Herr Von Drach rocked his head 
from side to side with proper indignation. “ And 
nothing about his family. That is, indeed, a very 
unfortunate pass in the annals of Proczna, in the 
highest degree fatal, but unfortunately, in God’s 
name, not to be altered ! ” 

Xenia let her hands sink “ No, the fact remains 

— but who knows whether it will be hidden from the 
world ? 

“ My parents had severed every connection with 
the world, when they banished themselves to this 
exile, and I know that very little news concern- 
ing our family reached the public. My father’s 
singular step to adopt a son was, however, known ; 
yet the world expected him to choose a son of equal 
birth, to transmit his name. It would be an easy 
matter to preserve this opinion, if we could impress 
Janek with the idea that he is a distant relative, 
whose family name owing to certain circumstances, 
is to be kept a secret. Yet I have placed myself in 
such a position with this Pole, that he will take 
delight in mortifying and wounding me, though he 
pierces his own flesh with the thorn. I cannot count 
upon any consideration for myself and name, there- 
fore I wish to wring his arms from his hands before 
he can raise them against me.” And laying both 
hands upon the shoulders of the old gentleman, 
Xenia bowed her face over his and sent her burning 
gaze into his eyes. “Uncle,”-she whispered implor- 
ingly, “ I know that papa left a letter in which he 
gives Janek information concerning his birth — a letter 
whose few lines will poison my whole future. You 
must know a way by which I can gain possession of 
this dangerous missive. There must be some means 
by which we can get it into our hands. Janek dare 
not know who he is — he dare not, uncle, cost what 
it may.” 

An almost doleful expression passed over the 
wrinkled face of the chamberlain, as he sank lower 
under the pressure of the white hands, while the 
orders on his breast swayed to and fro. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


53 


“ But, Xenia ! I implore you ! How dare we 
alter the last will of your deceased father, my faithful, 
confiding friend ? How dare I place in your hands 
a letter which should be as sacred to my soul as a 
holy duty ? ” 

“ You possess it? The letter is in your hands ! ” 
and a cry of exulting triumph burst from the lips of 
the Countess. “ Give it to me, now — here, lay it in 
my hand if the name and the honor of your dearest 
friend are. sacred to you, if you would preserve the 
spotless luster of his race ! ” 

With her form drawn up to its full height and 
flashing eyes, Xenia stood before the old gentlemaii, 
who in restless embarrassment wiped the damp pearls 
from his forehead. Baron Von Drach had so little 
self-reliance, and was so accustomed to depend upon 
the energetic will of his wife, that he generally did 
as he was bid. And now he was called upon to 
combat his own will, again resign his opinion, and 
that, too, to the slender young girl opposite to him, 
who commanded the whole house, and wound even 
the opinions of his wife around her finger. “ No, 
that was simply impossible, Xenia,” and the sharp, 
rather than strong will held to the right. Never- 
theless, the Countess, command waged war with 
his honor and his conscience. 

“ Dear Xenia,” he timidly interposed, “ you have 
no idea of the danger of such a request — to open a 
letter — unlawfully break open a letter ! Why, it 
will send us to prison ! ” 

The lips of the young Countess curled scornfully. 
“Was this letter not given to you by my papain 
private ? ” she asked, imperiously. 

“ C^est ga., mon enfant — I found it on my arrival 
in Proczna, when your letter called me to the death- 
bed of your father ! ” 

Baron Yon Drach breathed uneasily, and again 
dried his brow. “ An envelope addressed to me, and 
written a few days before his end, contained the 
before-mentioned letter to Jaiiek. A note within, 


54 


POLISH BLOOD. 


written to me, imposed upon me as a sacred duty to 
deliver the inclosed lines to his adopted son on the 
daj^ of his majority. This was a supplement to the 
testament, and was to be read, by all means, before 
the opening of the same.” 

Xenia’s eyes flashed. “ Excellent — a sort of a 
preparatory step to the word ‘adopted son,’ which 
would otherwise fall from the Notary’s lips upon the 
unsuspicious one like a thunderbolt. What have you 
to fear from the destruction of tins document, of 
whose existence you and I are the only witnesses ? ’’ 
And the young lady drew herself up coldly and 
haughtily: “And as circumstances changed after the 
death of my father, it is now your duty first of all to 
prevent this folly of a human being, whom my father 
only knew as a child! Where is the letter? Give 
it to me immediatelv. There is not a minute to be 
lost.” 

The form of the chamberlain bent lower and lower. 
“ Upstairs in my casket,” he said softly. 

A dim light fell into the little boudoir of the apart- 
ments, which the Countess had taken possession of 
during the few days she was to remain at Proczna. 

Xenia closed the folding-doors, and then hurriedly 
stepped back to the table, upon whose polished ebony 
surface Baron Yon Drach’s shriveled hands had just 
placed the little casket, in which the empowered acts, 
accounts, receipts of his administration of the Dynar 
fortune, were contained. His banker had accom- 
panied him here to arrange the affairs of the Lord of 
Proczna ; for Baron Von Drach was not a man to 
trouble himself much about things he did not under- 
stand. 

The papers rattled and were tumbled about, as the 
trembling fingers of the chamberlain rummaged the 
contents of the bronze casket. 

Calmly but firmly the Countess Dynar pressed her 
guardian to one side, and then, lifting the papers 
out of their receptacle, she hurriedly ran her sharp 
eyes over their contents. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


55 


“ Here,” said she, after a few minutes, holding up 
a sealed envelope — “ here it is ! ” 

An expression of relief fell from her lips, as the 
white sheet trembled between her fingers. The baron 
hesitatingly laid his hand upon her arm. 

“ Xenia ! ” he almost begged in a whining tone, 
“promise me that you will burn this letter as soon as 
you have read it. It makes no difference what it may 
contain; from the moment the seal is broken it must 
cease to exist, if we would not compromise ourselves.” 

A cold, determined look fell upon the countenance 
which was raised pale and imploringly to hers. She 
laughed almost sympathetically. 

“ Do not worry, uncle. You have my word. In 
order that we may leave this document in ashes here, 
there upon the hearth make a fire.” 

With feverish haste the chamberlain struck a light, 
while the Countess Dynar sank back into a sofa and 
broke the seal of her father’s will without the trem- 
bling of an eyelash. 

The wafer broke and fell like bright blood-drops 
down upon the white lace robe; she unfolded the 
document and read in a half- loud voice, while Baron 
Von Drach, in his eagerness to know the contents, 
stationed himself behind the sofa and raising his lor- 
gnette to his eye, gazed down upon the leaves before 
him. 

“ My dear Janek ! ” read the Countess, with scornful 
lips, “ when you read these lines my spirit will be with 
you and blessing you, kiss your brow. I write this in 
the late hour of the night, tortured by my disease 
and disquieted by my conscience, which makes me 
feel that I have been guilty of indiscretion. As my own 
child have I loved you, and have allowed you to grow 
up with the thought that the lonely, miserable man 
whom you never grieved, whose happiness and joy 
you have been, was your own father. God forgive 
me if I ever gave you cause to doubt it. When you 
open this letter you will be a man, strong and 
noble enough to bear a truth, which will not estrange 


56 


POLISH BLOOD. 


your heart from the departed, though its words may 
sever our relationship, as father and son; You are 
not my own child, Janek, not the child which God in 
his goodness gave me of my own flesh and blood ! I 
adopted you, made you my own in body and soul. 
Who your father was? Ask me not, my Janek ; be 
satisfied with the assurance that he was my highly 
esteemed friend, the kiss of whose last blessing con- 
secrates your young brow. I gave him my word of 
honor to seal my lips in regard to his name and origin, 
until he himself should unseal them. I committed, 
however, in a weak hour, the indiscretion of mention- 
ing your father’s name to you with the hope of thereby 
doing good. The letter in which I made the disclos- 
ures, for which my concience now upbraids me, is now 
in the hands of the legal authority. 

“ It is a wild night without. The storm rages and 
howls just as it did that night when the pale, unhappy 
man stood before me, and we clasped hands — I with 
the promise to keep his secret. 

“ Janek, my dearly beloved son, I fear that I shall 
not have time to recall that letter, and I therefore, 
in the sorrow of my heart, ask this one favor of you, 
which I know that you, as an obedient son, will 
grant out of respect to my memory. Take that letter 
which will be handed to you before the opening of 
my testament and throw it unopened into the fire. 
Honor my wish, and give my conscience rest, I beg 
of you, and God, the Almighty, will bless you for it! 
You are from this hour on Count Dynar, the heir of 
Proczna, and let this name suffice. I have given you 
the place of a noble, strong protector to my only, 
tenderly beloved daughter; gird her round about 
with that unalterable, true and holy affection which 
you as a child have done, to my nameless happiness ; 
and when you learn, my Janek, that Xenia is not 
your sister, and a warmer, sweeter love steals into 
your heart — God knows how often I have prayed for 
such a thing upon bended knees — then will my spirit 
be with you, my beloved children, to unite your 
hands.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


57 


Xenia now colorless as one dead, let the letter 
fall to the ground ; a cry burst from her lips ; help- 
less and broken, she sank back on the sofa. 

“ What have I done ? ” 

A deatli-like stillness for a moment reigned in the 
little boudoir. The fire sent forth a few dying 
sparks, while fjom the castle yard again resounded 
the jubilant cry of “hurrah ! ” 

“Xenia,” whispered Baron Von Drach, in a half 
choking voice, “ the carriage seems to have come in 
sight!” and again the cry of “hurrah!” and again, 
and again. 

Slowly rising, the Countess mechanically seized 
the letter and approached the light in the fireplace. 

All lost — all — and through her own fault. 

A shudder passed through her limbs. The flames 
seemed to divide themselves into a thousand fiery 
serpents, which mockingly hissed at her ; everything 
seemed to roll and toss about her — she leaned heavily 
upon the bronze mantlepiece. 

“ Xenia, shall I help you ? ” implored the old 
chamberlain at her side. 

She started up, seized the letter and held it to the 
flames — a dazzling light glowed over her white hand, 
the burning paper fluttered upon tlie heal th, a red 
light passed for a moment over the motionless white 
form, then sank into a heap of scarcely visible ashes. 

A low, shrill laugh of desperation sounded through 
the apartment. 

“ Uncle, we have played and lost,” she said with a 
strange sound in her voice. “Now come down and 
welcome the Lord of Proczna.” 

She drew herself up, cold and proud as ever, and 
laying her hand upon the arm of her guardian, walked 
at his side over the threshold. 

“ Hurrah ! hurrah for our young master ! ” waa 
jubilantly shouted from the courtyard. 


58 


POLISH BLOOD, 


CHAPTER V. 

Down the linden avenue toward the castle clat- 
tered the hoofs of flying steeds, sending showers of 
pebbles and sparks behind them. 

Cries of joy from hundreds of throats, the blast of 
trumpets, the sound of music, and waving flags, wel- 
comed the Lord of Proczna to the soil and castle of 
his father. 

Under the arched portal stood Xenia. A mist 
seemed to have gathered before lier eyes, and her 
mind and limbs, as though benumbed by some shock, 
for a moment refused to do her bidding. Then, 
recovering herself with an effort, she stepped down 
toward the castle gate to greet her brother before 
the world. 

Thundering over the stony pavement came four 
black horses, foaming before a high two-wheeled 
wagon, upon which sat Count Janek Dynar, proud 
and radiant as the young god of the sun. In his gala 
uniform of a Cuirassier guard, epauletted and spurred 
he fairly throned upon his airy seat. Like Helios, 
God of the Sun, who in dazzling splendor stormed 
round the universe in his course of triumph, he ap- 
peared. On his head flashed a helmet, over which 
his Majesty’s silver eagle spread its wings. 

The black steeds reared themselves straight up into 
the air against the force which then, with one turn, 
brought them to a standstill before the stairway. 
Then throwing his reins to the groom behind him. 
Count Dynar lowered his whip in greeting to Xenia, 
and, smiling pleasantly, waved his hand in thanks to 
those on all sides around him. ‘‘ God bless you, my 
good friends of Proczna ” — and again resounded a 
long, hearty hurrah, and, like a surging sea, the crowd 
pressed forward round the wagon; and fairly intoxi- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


59 


cated by the chivalrous beauty of their young master, 
they tossed the blossoms upon him like a spring rain. 
Then a second equipage rolled into the courtyard, 
bringing several officers of the law. 

Motionless as a statue still stood Xenia, with her 
eyes unnaturally large and fixed upon the Pole. 

She had not expected him to appear as he did. 
The sight of him seemed to press like a cold hand 
upon her heart ! Yes, she had played and lost ; this 
foreign branch had already become one with the noble 
tree, whose roots had sunk so deeply into German 
soil. The Polish blood had already changed its color, 
and now foamed beneath a brow over which the 
eagle of Prussia’s King hovered as his banner sign. 

Who could believe that this man had once lain, 
enveloped in rags, on the threshold of Proczna ? No 
one could have a suspicion that this aristocratic face, 
with its proudly arched brows, bore a mark of sliame 
upon its brow — the kiss of a rebel father. No one 
only she, the Countess Xenia, and she could not for- 
get it. 

And with these thoughts tormenting her breast, 
she further pondered, “ Will Count Dynar, who has 
learned the world and knows how many venomous 
tongues pass their judgment upon their dear next 
neighbor, of his own free will remove the crown from 
his own head ? ” 

No ; even though a character may be ever so 
strong, and though wearied to death, be willing to 
cast life into the balance — even though the blows of 
fate powerlessly rebound from him — he still possesses 
his “ Achilles’ heel.” Janek is young and vain ; he 
is as weak as any one whose hands have been bound 
with golden fetters ; he will not set his foot upon 
thorns, when he has the power to place it upon the 
world’s neck. 

Janek is as human as any other being — weak, cow- 
ardly, a slave to public opinion. Even though he 
may read that letter, which will pitilessly cast Helios 
from his heaven, still, will he, with trembling anxiety. 


60 


POLISH BLOOD. 


endeavor to hold the reins more firmly, and be silent, 
all will be well. The cuckoo will learn to feel at 
home in its nest, and the Countess Xenia Dynar will 
press her hand to her wounded heart and endure the 
interloper ; but she will never acknowledge the 
rights of this Pole — never look upon him as her 
equal. 

In the midst of these reflections spurs clinked upon 
the stone steps, a flash from the silver eagle’s wings 
dazzled her eyes. 

She looked up, and met the gaze of her brother. 
It was seldom that German gentlemen could gaze 
down upon her, and now here was this Pole — tall and 
slender as the young fir tree which bore the flags in 
his honor. 

The heir of Proczna bowed low and formally before 
his sister, the gaze of his dark eye roved coolly and 
indifferently over the white swan, about whose neck 
Gustine had so triumphantly wound the white pearls 
— pearls indicate tears. Xenia raised her head, forced 
a smile to her lips, and in the same tone she used to 
all gentlemen whom she wished to distinguish by a 
friendly word : 

“ I am pleased to see you again, Janek, and I bid 
you welcome to Proczna.” 

The words sounded very studied, but Xenia did her 
best ; she even raised her small hand and extended it 
half-way to meet his. 

Janet bowed long, and so low, with these words, 
“ The pleasure is on my side, Xenia,” that he entirely 
overlooked she white hand glistening with jewels. 
Yes, there was even a light shade of irony about his 
lips ; Xenia observed the ends of his mustache trem- 
ble, and pressing her lips together, she then coldly 
stepped aside to greet, with a scarcely perceptible 
motion of the head, the legal gentlemen who had 
followed her brother. Janek, however, with out- 
spread arms embraced his good old Uncle Drach in 
the sincerest and heartiest manner. 

In the greatest embarrassment the chamberlain gave 


POLISH BLOOD. 


61 


one of his dry little coughs, and spasmodically re- 
peated, “My dear Janekl My dear Janek!” and 
then tapped him with his hand all the more affection- 
ately on the back, for, fortunately, they stood so Xenia 
could not see them. 

At dinner the Countess directed a few condescend- 
ing words to some of the legal gentlemen, many of 
whom are made so happy, she thought, by a slight 
notice from the nobility, but in the meanwhile lost 
not a word of the cordial conversation Janek was 
carrying on with the other gentlemen. To her his 
laugh was so vulgarly hearty and so loud, then his 
manner toward these people, who stood so far beneath 
him, was a compliment to them entirely unworthy of 
him. 

For a moment Xenia entertained the idea of with- 
drawing from the dining hall, but Baron YonDrach, 
with a frightened air, whispered to her — “ Do not go, 
it will cause gossip ” — and even though it was a 
matter of indifference to the Countess Dynar, what 
this element of society, consisting of lawyers, notaries 
and magistrates, might say of her, she permitted her- 
self apparently to be persuaded by her uncle, and 
remained during the dinner, where between her 
guardian and the leading magistrate she truly repre- 
sented the majestic hostess. 

Her only object, however, in remaining was to 
observe the Pole. Perhaps her gaze might now and 
then cool down the Polish blood. 

Unfortunately she was mistaken. Janek comported 
himself as though the great carved chair opposite to 
him were intended for Banquo’s ghost, and for the 
beautiful, haughty woman in it, before whom the 
whole jeunesse dorSe of that northern territory bowed 
itself in the dust, he had scarcely a glance, and even 
when his gaze did accidentally fall upon her, it re- 
mained as completely unchanged as though he were 
sitting vis-5rvis with his daily bread. 

At the same time he was exceedingly animated and 
agreeable, without any attempt at brilliancy. A most 


62 


POLISH BLOOD. 


delightful flow of repartee sustained his conversation, 
and his manner, with all its elegance, was strikingly 
natural ; Xenia found it exceedingly student-like. 

She was also very much displeased at his manner 
of criticising court society. He seemed to have moved 
familiarly in the highest circles, and to have gazed 
sharply behind the curtains. What he censured and 
ridiculed in these people was unfortunately reprehen- 
sible, but it was silly in Count Dynar to deride his 
equals, and that, too, in the presence of people who 
were scarcely entitled to an opinion concerning their 
superiors. 

And Xenia curled her lips contemptuously as she 
thought, “ blood will tell,” the aristocratic eagle upon 
his helm is but the mask under which the son of the 
Polish rebel plays his r61e of a Count. 

She avoided addressing him, and only occasionally 
made a sharp observation in the general conversation. 
Janek, on the other hand, spoke as unconstrainedly 
to her as to the rest, occasionally assenting to some- 
thing she said, then again combating her opinions in 
the most decided manner. Xenia had never in her 
life been treated with so much indifference as she was. 
by this — Pole. And the Countess Xenia, like all 
weak and vain people, had her Achilles’ heel also. 
Janek had not been in the slightest degree familiar, 
yet she felt wounded, more deeply wounded than she 
did long ago, when the blow of his whip fell upon 
her hand. Involuntarily the lines in her father’s 
letter appeared before her eyes, . . . . “ when, perhaps, 
a warmer and sweeter love steals into your heart,” 
.... Her gaze passed over to his face ; she felt like 
bursting into laughter at the thought, and involun- 
tarily pressed the ivory handle of her fan in her hand, 
so that it snapped. How could this Pole dare to 
raise his eyes to her ? 

“Under her very feet would she crush such a pre- 
sumptuous, warm and sweet love.” 

“Fortunately, indeed, heaven be praised, he seemed 
very far from entertaining any such mad idea — ^but 


POLISH BLOOD. 


63 


— why should he ? Does he not look upon her as his 
own sister? He does not dream as yet that the 
Countess Xenia” — 

The guests touched their glasses, and Baron Von 
Drach offered the toast, “Welcome to the heir of 
Proczna.” 

Janek rose from his seat, walked round the table, 
and gallantly lowered his glass of foaming champagne 
before the lady of the house. Xenia’s gaze measured 
the tall figure. She touched his glass with her own, 
and then placed it, without raising it to her lips, back 
upon the table. 

Expectant, he remained standing, his dark eyes 
glowed down upon her threateningly and warningly 
at the same time. Then bowing lower he whispered 
a few words — “ Will you in this heedless manner 
treat me with contempt before all these strange 
people ? ” 

Her golden hair touched his cheek, and her eyes 
sent their mocking gaze into his. 

“ If you challenge mp thus, certainly.” 

And at that she gave a little low laugh, in which 
Uncle Drach, very much embarrassed, joined, and, as 
Janek offered his crystal glass again with a still more 
amiable air, the old gentleman said, “Janek, you 
know her aversion to this custom, which is omitted 
now in court circles.” 

Janek shrugged his shoulders — he looked by no 
means annoyed. “At court, my clear uncle, people 
are often unconscious puppets that dance mechani- 
cally to the flute of their chief. But Heaven be 
praised there are exceptions, with will and intellect 
ill the head, and a vigorous whip under the arm, that 
clear the way of all this antiquated nonsense.” 

The young offlcer resumed his seat, and calmly 
returned Xenia’s disdainful glance. 

“You probably are one of the exceptions, the bug- 
aboo in the Punch and Judy show?” she asked rais- 
ing her lace handkerchief to her mocking lips. 

The heir of Proczna calmly carved the piece of 


64 


POLISH BLOOD. 


fowl upon his plate with an expression as though he 
enjoyed her revolt. 

“ Yes, General,” said the Lord of Proczna calmly, 
“ as I said a moment ago, I have marked out a goal 
which I hope one day to reach. You have no idea 
how necessary it is that an iron broom should sweep 
away the windy chaff that whirls in the parquet, and 
blinds the eyes of all the highest in authority ! I 
sympathize with all those poor, lonesome people upon 
the heights, who would gaze down upon the land 
below, but are prevented from so doing by the un- 
remitting clouds that lie like a delusive mist between 
them and the desired view.” 

Janek threw back his handsome head as though he 
would challenge his neighbor, while his iron will sat 
like defiance upon his clear brow. “ I am aware that 
it requires considerable courage and a great deal of 
self-denial to play the game of ‘bugaboo,’ but I hope 
I possess both in a sufficient degree. I also know how 
much bitterness an active member in this comedy, 
with its tragical consequence, can introduce into it. 
I do not enter the combat 'with the intention of 
waging war against the Emperor’s crown, or its bril- 
liant lights, but solely against the weeds which by 
their growth have almost hidden them from sight.” 

And again the low, mocking laugh of the Countess 
reached his ear. 

“ You speak only of your acts in the r61e, only of 
your own gigantic resolutions, only of your whips, 
by means of which you are to remove mountains. 
Does it never, then, occur to you that you, together 
with your iron broom, might be hissed from the 
stage ? ” 

And Count Dynar joined heartily in her laugh 
against himself. 

“ One must take his chances as to that ! If I should 
openly and boldly attack the mountain, and give the 
people thereon an opportunity to hurl their rocks 
upon my head, I would deserve to have them rise 
hissing against such a blockhead ; but if I strike in 


POLISH BLOOD. 


65 


homeopathic passages, and cure like with like, I shall 
secretly and successfully wind their arms from their 
hands, and thus actively carry on the comedy. 

“ If people have no weapons in their hands they 
cannot drive me forth, and as for whistling on their 
fingers, they are not intelligent enough for that. So 
courage, to the brave belongs the fair ! ” 

Janek raised his crystal glass, foaming over with 
the sparkling champagne, and emptied it at one 
draught. An expression of daring merriment lay 
on his brow, which looked dazzlingly white against 
the sunburned skin of the lower part of the face. 

Xenia was well aware that he was called handsome 
and original, and that the ladies of the Province did 
not disguise their absurd admiration for the daring 
scoffer. Her lips curved more proudly, and her cool 
glance measured him more offensively than ever. 

“Your dreams of the future are so bold and fan- 
tastic, that they would probably be more interesting 
to a physician than to us, who do not understand 
such extravagancies. 1 hope, however, that you are 
on the way which is but one step from the ‘ sublime 
to the ridiculous,’ and that you may have a salutary 
stumble over your own sabre, which represents the 
feudal sentiments of your regiment, no doubt.” 

Janek raised his head; not an eye-lash quivered in 
his cruel, laughing countenance. 

“And so you think I shall continue to be an 
officer?” 

Xenia started. 

“ Whether you belong to the military or diplomatic 
circle, either one generally exercises a wholesome 
and moral restraint on all self-important spirits.” 

“And suppose I prefer to decline the restraint, 
and make no use of the gay coat and carte-blanche 
of foreign courts — what then ? ” 

Baron Yon Drach, with a frightened expression on 
his face, lifted his eyes from his painted plate, into 
which, in the greatest embarrassment, his gaze had 
been directed for some time. The other gentlemen 


66 


POLISH BLOOD. 


also for the time let knife and fork rest, to gaze into 
the pale countenance o'f the Countess. 

Proudly Xenia lifted her golden head. “ Then 
we would, after the proof you have just given us of 
your taste, be perfectly indifferent to your plans and 
intentions, and postpone further communications to 
a more suitable time.” A triumphant glance danced 
for a moment in her eyes. Sometimes a single 
moment overturns our future plans and brings the 
card play-house, full of its pretty illusions, pitiably 
to an end. Let us have the particulars of your future 
plans to-morrow. Perhaps you may have another 
brilliant idea in the night.” 

And the Countess Dynar, declining the dessert 
which the footman presented to her upon a silver 
plate, turned with a calm smile to the gentlemen and 
said with a tone of reserved amiability, “ I presume 
the gentlemen would prefer to season their Mocha 
with a cigar in the apartment of the Count” — she 
avoided calling the Pole brother — ‘‘ and I hope to 
have the pleasure of meeting you in the salon at the 
appointed hour.” 

Xenia rose with a formal bow to which the gentle- 
men responded as deferentially low as though she 
were a princess, then the Countess Dynar, on the arm 
of her guardian, passed to her own apartments. 

Janek’s gaze followed her. Pure and white as the 
lines of foam that followed Aphrodite rising from the 
sea was the train of her lace robe as it rustled over 
the marble floor, and the evening sunbeams mingled 
with her golden hair, just as it had done that evening 
years before, upon the heath, when the listening boy 
heard the words that made him drink his own heart’s 
blood. Who knows whether the waves may not 
swallow both fisher and boat before the end ? 

And the heir of Proczna haughtily lifted his head, 
while an expression of anger and scorn played about 
his lips. 

“ The future, gentlemen ! ” he cried, raising his glass. 
“ Every one has his goal before his eyes ! Whether 


POLISH BLOOD. 


67 


he reach it, hazard I hazard ! ” And the crystal 
glasses clinked together. Cool and white as the 
flood that beats around the rocks of the Rhine flowed 
the champagne’s foam over the white hand of. the 
Lord of Proczna. 

Upon the table in the grand salon flared the tall 
wax candles in their high silver candlesticks. The 
magistrates, lawyers, notaries, had taken their seats 
to witness the opening of the last will and testament 
of Count Gustav Adolph, which was to invest this 
day the only son and heir with his title and his pos- 
sessions. 

Leaning upon his chair stood the young Count, 
quiet and earnest, with his gaze directed straight be- 
fore him, to the bright figure in the portrait of his 
ancestress Xenia, which seemed but the companion 
picture of the living Xenia, with the golden hair and 
wilful mouth ; any one might have taken the motion- 
less figure, sitting somewhat to one side, on the low 
fauteuil, with her hands folded in her lap, for the 
sister of the other. 

The Countess had turned her beautiful face in the 
shade ; the long lashes had fallen over her eyes ; one 
might have mistaken this motionless figure for the 
marble statue of the white-robed ancestress in the por- 
trait yonder. Yet life glowed warmer than usual in 
the veins of the namesake, whose breast rose and sank 
with her quickly drawn breath. Now and then a 
feverish excitement betrayed itself in the trembling 
of the lips ; involuntarily shj started and stared 
breathlessly upon the hand of the attorney as he 
handed Janek a sealed letter. 

“ It is the wish of your deceased father. Count 
Dynar, that this letter be handed to you before the 
opening of his will, and that you be placed in imme- 
diate possession of its contents.” 

Xenia’s heart stood still. The light from one of 
the candles fell into her eyes, and for a moment glowed 
there like a bright serpent, that hissing raised its 


68 


POLISH BLOOD. 


head. Rising mechanically she supported herself 
upon the back of her chair, to observe the effect of 
this letter, which was to pale the cheek of the falling 
Helios. 

The heir of Proczna leaned against the table to 
bring the white sheet under the light of the wax 
candles. For a moment he had held the letter un- 
opened in his hand ; the sight of the handwriting of 
his beloved father filled him with deep emotion, and 
raising the letter to his lips, he respectfully kissed it. 

Then, drawing his tall, slender form to its full 
height, he sent a penetrating glance into Xenia’s 
eyes ; it seemed as though he wished to read into the 
very depths of her soul. Then, breaking the seal 
with a firm hand, he again turned toward the light. 

Not the slightest trace of emotion was visible in his 
earnest, calm countenance, and on and on he read. 
Suddenly the white sheet trembled between his 
fingers, and as though struck by a blow, Janek 
bowed low over the letter; powerless, as though 
benumbed, his gaze remained riveted to the lines. 

Then, raising his hand, he passed it slowly over his 
forehead, as though in a dream. 

“ My father — It cannot be possible — I the son — O, 
my God — I ? I ? ” — came softly in broken sentences 
from his lips. And again, almost beside himself, he 
gazed upon the letter ; again and again he ran over 
the contents of its lines, whose meaning he could 
scarcely conceive or comprehend. 

A deeply-drawn breath expanded his breast ; proud 
and triumphant, his form rose to a kingly height. 
He turned his gaze again strong and luminous upon 
the Countess Xenia. It seemed as though his lips 
would open to make that proud, arrogant face bow 
before the power of a single word. His lips trembled, 
and every fiber betrayed the combat with which his 
soul waged. Then it seemed as though a cooling 
breath passed over this boiling Polish blood. The 
hand that held the letter sank at his side. A smile 
rose to his countenance — that cruol, deliberate smile 


POLISH BLOOD. 


69 


which, like a sharp knife, seemed to pierce the very 
marrow of Xenia’s life — which she hated in him as 
she would a mirror that reflected her own deformity. 

“ It is due the present company to make some ex- 
planation of the contents of this letter,” said Janek 
lightly, throwing himself into his chair and drawing 
the folded paper through his fingers as indifl'erently 
as though it had been a paper lighter. “ To my 
surprise, I learn that I am not Count Dynar’s own 
son, but his adopted son, whom he, with incompar- 
able goodness, has given the right to be the bearer 
of his name and the heir of his possessions. The let- 
ter is wholly of a private nature, and was written for 
my eyes only. In consequence of which I regret, 
Mr. Notary — gentlemen — not to be able to give you 
further insight into this letter. May I ask now to 
have the testament read ? ” 

A certain perplexity depicted itself on every 
countenance ; every one stared upon the young man 
who could thus treat such a communication as a mere 
bagatelle ; such indifference to a letter whose lines 
shook the very foundation of his existence, name and 
position ! And then without further consideration 
put it in his breast-pocket as calmly as though it were 
a bill payable on demand, and then to be placed in 
his portfolio. 

The testament was opened and read. Xenia sank 
back in her seat in silence. With her perfumed lace 
handkerchief she dried the little damp pearls, which 
the anguish of the few last moments had driven to her 
brow. Not an eye could look into that pale face and 
see what a tortured soul was borne under its mask. 

The painful ordeal was over, and now the Pole knew 
and understood the history of his low-born family and 
must see the wide gulf that separated him from the 
Countess Xenia. 

As though freed from a great weight, her breast 
rose and fell under its white lace, and like falling 
tears trembled her pearl necklace upon its delicate 
covering. 


70 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Her gaze was almost contemptuous, ns it fell upon 
the heir of Proczna. Fool, that she had been even for 
a moment to tremble at the possibility of the thought 
that Polish blood could rise higher than the bounds 
of vanity ; that defiance and revenge could be more 
powerful than egotism and fear of public opinion. 
No, Count Janek Dynar would allow no stranger’s 
eye to gaze upon the lines, which, if known, would 
so unmercifull}^ wrest the proud pedestal from under 
his feet ; he had carelessly placed the letter as “ pri- 
vate matter ” into his vest pocket, and passed over 
the whole affair as though it were a mere pebble that 
had rolled under his foot, and which, with a single 
movement, was sent far out of the way. No, it was 
both wise and shrewd of Count Dynar to bend be- 
fore Mammon with the proud title, that had so 
tyrannically set his foot upon the neck of proud 
Helios, and he would rather have bitten his own 
tongue off than that the world should know of his 
doubtful origin. 

Xenia felt like laughing aloud with scorn and 
contempt at this “ India-rubber ” man, whose dimen- 
sions became smaller and cheeks paler under the 
blows of fate, and then with all the elasticity of 
his nature grew large again as soon as the blow re- 
bounded from the coat of mail of the testament. She 
had, indeed, seen what effect the letter had upon 
him — had seen how his own father’s name had 
shaken the conscious bearing of the Lord of Proczna. 
Yes, she felt like laughing aloud. And yet she 
pressed her hot brow to her cool lace batiste hand- 
kerchief, and felt as though shame and anger were 
closing her very throat. 

How pitifully sank the eagle with its broken wings, 
from Janek’s head, and yet he had borne him 
so kingly a few hours before, when he placed his 
foot upon the threshold of his possessions. 

The rain pattered against the window panes, 
grayer and grayer became the shadows in the study 
of the former Count Gustav Adolph. With sighing 


POLISH BLOOD. 


71 


wings the wind passed over the gables, and roared 
in the chimneys, just as it had done upon that night 
when the Polish insurgent dragged the “ cuckoo in 
this nest.” At that time cold and snow had brought 
the family to the castle, and a tender human blossom 
had, wailing, battled for its existence. To-day it was 
but a summer shower that had thrown its dark veil 
over the fragrant summer world, and, to-day that 
tender blossom was a full-blown rose upon its thorny 
branch. 

Countess Xenia sat by the writing-desk of her de- 
ceased father with her head over a volume of old 
parchment. 

The carpet in the adjoining salon deadened the 
sound of approaching footsteps. Pushing the folds 
of the portieres noiselessly to one side, Janek stood 
for a moment motionless gazing at the reader. 

At last he could drink full, long draughts from 
the cup of her beauty — could stand, and, with a long 
and faithful gaze, embrace the sunny, golden head 
of the enchantress Loreley. 

She bowed her small head to one side, so that only 
her profile was turned toward him ; her hand lay 
upon the folds of her dark dress like a piece of chis- 
eled marble, the same hand upon which the bright 
red band had been marked- by the whip. 

And that was Xenia ; that was the child with the 
defiant brow — that once upon the glowing heath had 
raised her clinched hands with the cry, “ Oh, how I 
hate the cuckoo in my nest.” 

And Janek’s countenance darkened as though 
black clouds were passing over it. He pressed his 
lips together and breathed more quickly. He could 
very well remember when this charming liead lay 
upon his breast, and now ? A dizzy precipice seemed 
to yawn at his very feet. Should he, with one bold 
effort, span it with a bridge ? A single word from 
him, a single glance of those beautiful eyes into the 
letter that burned upon his breast, and the chasm 
would be closed ; then he could stand at her side 
fully entitled to his position. 


72 


POLISH BLOOD. 


A bitter smile rose to his lips. “ Then would her 
pride and arrogance lay down their arms, and ac- 
knowledging his right bid him welcome to the nest 
then would that beautiful hand lie fearlessly upon 
his arm, and welcome the heir of Proczna as brother 
before the whole world. But now, as he gazed at 
this hand, a shudder passed through his limbs — cold 
and chilling seemed the hand, as the woman without 
a soul there before him. 

And an expression of angry determination flashed 
in the eye of the listener, “ No, a thousand times 
no ! The chasm shall continue to yawn wide and 
threatening between our pathways. Not a straw 
will I cast forth to draw your soul to mine. This 
fiery Polish blood will make its own course, retain 
its own magic power, and one day send a kindling 
spark into your cold heart, and love’s bright flames 
shall flash forth from your dark eyes ; and as you 
once raised your closed liand against me, will your 
arms extend themselves in passionate longing. Polish 
blood! Jadwiga poured it into your veins, you 
blonde German maiden — and Polish blood never 
denies itself. Though every tie that binds us be 
torn asunder, I wager my all upon a single die, 
and that is Polish blood ! ” 

Then with a Arm and dignified air Janek passed 
over the threshold. Surprised, Xenia turned her 
head, gazed at him from head to foot, and then read on. 

“ The gentlemen have just departed. I shall 
follow their example at an early hour in the morning, 
and beat my retreat again into the great world, as 
the business that called us together has all been 
settled.” 

A single glance passed from the listener to Janek. 
He settled back into an easy-chair and began to 
drum with his finger nails on the surface of the 
writing-desk. “ I have still a little affair with you 
and Uncle Drach to settle, and in consequence have 
invited the Lord Chamberlain to meet me here,” he 
continued, in an indifferent manner. “You have a 


POLISH BLOOD. 


73 


moment’s time for me, or rather for business matters? ” 

Pusliing the parchment aside Xenia leaned back in 
her chair with an air of haughty indifference. 

The heir of Proczna glanced over the leaves that 
were thickly covered with dust. 

“ Aha ! the history of your ancestress, Xenia ! ” 
he said, nodding to her, which your uncle accident- 
ally came across in searching through the archives. 
He told me something about it, and awakened great 
sympathy in my heart for this charming woman, 
whose love was greater than her pride.” 

The Countess haughtily turned her head. “ The 
difference in our views never denies itself ! ” she re- 
plied, sharply. “ You admire that madwoman, and I 
am wounded in my innermost soul to think that I 
ishould have been named after such an unworthy 
member of our house.” 

“ Unworthy ? At the time in which your an- 
'cestress, Xenia, lived, elopements formed the most 
charming chapters in the books of the poetic Min- 
nesingers, and that the chosen one of her heart was 
•an officer of a hostile nation — and a Pole at that — 
whose name they unfortunately have not given us, 
increases the charm and proves to me how very in- 
tense the love of this lady of the castle must have 
been. 

“ And how deeply she degraded herself by it!” 
Xenia’s very glance seemed to freeze. “ A Pole ! — 
A Pole and a Countess of Dynar I Such contrasts 
:are too shocking for one even to imagine.” 

Janek laughed softl}^ “ I am a full-blooded Pole, 
and you a mixture of the German and Polish races. 
I beg of you most earnestly not to disgrace our 
family by such sentiments, for it is just these very 
shocking contrasts ’ that blend in you to make the 
harmonious whole.” 

“ In me ? ” — Xenia’s lips trembled — “ I thank my 
Creator that I have nothing further in common with 
the Poles than — a brother in name, who is as foreign 
to me as water from fire.” 


74 


POLISH liLOOD. 


Janek laughed again — “And Jadwiga? Your 
nurse ? — the Polish rebel, who preserved the life of 
the Count’s child, and lulled it to sleep with the rev- 
olutionary songs of her fermenting fatherland — will 
you expunge Jadwiga as an unpleasant episode in 
your book of life ? ” The young man drew nearer to 
her, while an expression of triumph glowed in his 
dark eyes. 

“ In vain, Xenia. That woman became a part of 
your destiny, which will certainly manifest itself. 
May your hair be as golden blond, as the purest 
German; may your eye be ever so cold, and your 
blood ever so German, a foreign drop has, never- 
theless, fallen like a consuming poison into it, and 
unsuspected and unobserved, will roll through your 
cold veins until its fiery sparks shall fall kindling 
into your heart. Did your ever hear the fable of 
Memnon? The morning’s dawn must come and 
allure bewitching music from out the dead stone, the 
light must flame high in the horizon in order that the 
slumbering soul may waken, and the Polish blood in 
your veins waits but for the light of love’s power to 
send it in flames of ardent feeling to the very heavens. 
Sooner or later the time will come, Xenia, when 
you shall feel that to Polish blood you owe your life.” 

Standing before the daughter of the German Count, 
with a countenance glowing with inspiration, the 
luminous eyes of the speaker seemed to pierce the 
future — and like jubilant greeting from beyond the 
border, sounded a blast of wind around the towers of 
Proczna. 

At this moment the Chamberlain Von Drach has- 
tily entered, but shrank back at the sight of the two 
majestic forms, with uplifted heads and flashing eyes, 
standing opposite each other — fire and ice — so unlike, 
and at the same time so harmonious. 

“ You wished my presence, dear Janek,” said the 
guardian, with an uncertain air, as he came a step or 
two nearer, while his glance passed, as though recon- 
noitering, from one to the other. 


POLISH BLOOD, 


75 


“ Yes, most respected Lord Chamberlain. I took 
the liberty of inviting you to a short conference, as 
my time here unfortunately is too short to allow you 
time to set your own hour.’’ Janek spoke calmly and 
deliberately, without allowing himself to be in the 
least irritated by the exchange of glances which pass- 
ed between Xenia and Baron Von Drach, who were 
astonished at his stiff manner of addressing the little 
man. 

“ I regard it as my duty to give you a verbal account 
of my future plans, in order that I may leave a free 
field behind me.” 

“ But, Janek ” — 

“ Most respected Lord Chamberlain— as the adopted 
son of your friend, can I not presume now to address 
you with the title of ‘ Uncle ? ’ — I pray you, therefore, 
to permit me, uninterrupted, to say the few words I 
have to say. 

“ The letter of my adopted father revealed the fact 
to me that I stand a stranger in this family circle, and 
that fate made me ‘ the cuckoo in the nest,’ the inter- 
loper in Proczna.” His penetrating gaze sought 
Xenia’s eyes. “ It was not made perfectly clear to 
me how unwelcome I must have been to you until the 
opening of the before-mentioned letter. 1 had already 
been made aware of the sentiments of my adopted 
sister toward me, which I now understand were such 
as the world would expect from one of her birth and 
position.” The young man crossed his arms over his 
breast, while a tinge of the finest irony shaded every 
word. “lam only the son of a Polish rebel, picked 
up, enveloped in rags, from the public highway by 
Count Gustav Adolph and sheltered from the night 
and the storm. Nothing was mine but naked life 
when my never-to-be-forgotten adopted father, in the 
goodness of his great heart, made me the bearer of his 
ancient name and the heir of his millions. 

“ These, unfortunately, are the circumstances which 
have placed me in such an unhappy light before the 
Countess Xenia, and, therefore, I am entitled to an 


76 


POLISH BLOOD. 


answer to the question, whether the daughter of the 
Count Dynar, under the existing circumstances, will 
in the presence of the world acknowledge me as 
her brother, and whether, as such, I shall be wel- 
come ? ” 

Slowly Xenia raised her head. “ Welcome ? ” and 
there was something hard in her voice as she laughed. 

“ An honest question deserves an honest answer.” 

“ Of my own accord I should never have chosen you 
for a brother, J anek. As my father neither consulted 
my taste nor my will in the matter, there was but one 
thing to be done — to accept his choice and patiently 
bear what is not to be altered.” 

A deadly pallor overspread the features of the Lord 
of Proczna. “ What is not to be altered,” he said 
tranquilly, nodding his head. Right ; the testament 
of your father cannot be set aside. I am Count 
Dynar and shall continue to be he. I shall, however, 
have the consideration never to intrude my unwelcome 
person upon you. The world is large enough for two 
people to hide from each other. This leads me to a 
subject of which I should like to speak. Necessity 
compels me to consider the question of my future 
calling in life.” 

“ I — I thought, mon cJier — you were only in jest 
yesterday at dinner, when you tried to make us believe 
you intended to quit the service,” stuttered Drach in 
the most painful embarrassment — ‘ and as to the 
ridiculous idea of not calling me uncle any more” — 

The Chamberlain, frightened at the glance Xenia 
cast at him, grew suddenly dumb. Janek, however, 
paid no attention to his interruption, and continued 
to pace slowly up and down the room. “ Right ; 
I shall hang my lieutenant’s sword on its nail.” 

“I doubt whether you will amuse yourself any 
more as a diplomat,” said Xenia, with indifference, 
as she leaned her head back upon the high back of 
her carved chair, while her eyes followed his superb 
form. 

“ I agree with you fully ; therefore I have concluded 


POLISH BLOOD, 77 

to abandon that dream of the future I once had of 
becoming a foreign minister or an ambassador.” 

Something in his tone startled her. “ What! you 
Vill make no use of your position, which entitles you 
to the notice of foreign courts ? Ridiculous ! I know 
of no other career besides those mentioned that would 
be suitable for a Count Dynar.” 

“ Is that so ? really ! But I know one I ” Janek 
laughed softly as he stood looking down upon her with 
an air of amusement. 

Xenia shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. 
“ Ah ! indolence.” 

“ Oh, no. You seem to have considerable talent 
for judging me falsely.” Janek carelessly lighted a 
cigarette, and for a moment watched the delicate 
rings as they slowly ascended. “ On the contrary, 
I intend to be very industrious ! What do you think, 
for example, of my becoming a singer ? Opera singer 
or concert singer ? ” 

Xenia rose from her seat. Then drawing her brow 
darkly together she replied almost angrily : “ I am 
in no mood for jesting.” 

Janek’s eyes fairly laughed with humor. “ Nor I. 
Therefore I spoke to you in the greatest earnest- 
ness. You have no idea what a capital I have hid- 
ing in my throat. The most celebrated masters 
have cultivated my voice, which I, modest as the 
tiniest violet, unsuspected carry about me. I shall 
have a famous future. All Europe will not only re- 
joice with you, but envy you, because you are my 
sister.” 

With trembling hands Xenia clung convulsively to 
the back of the chair. “ Opera singer— you — ^you — 
a Count Dynar I ” — sounded almost like a cry of an- 
guish in his ears. 

“ Yes, indeed, I think my name will be exceedingly 
useful to me in such a career,” said Janek with cruel 
calmness. “ Our coatK)f-arms will appear exceedingly 
original upon programmes of the theater ; but then I 
have even a greater passion for the circus ; people say 


78 


POLISH BLOOD. 


that I excel tlie most celebrated riders, and then it 
is quite a modern sport, for I know two — three — yes, 
four of my aristocratic comrades whose military 
career ended in the race course. So, hi — hurra — 
huzza ! — I can imagine what amusement it will 
afford me.” 

The young officer leaned back comfortably on his 
seat and enjoyed the effects of his words. 

The proud form of the Countess sank back almost 
broken in lier chair. Turning her tearless counte- 
nance, full of burning reproach toward him, she said 
with a voice low, and almost hoarse with emotion : 
“ My father will reap poor reward for his sacrificial 
love, for he has transmitted his name to one who will 
cover it with public disgrace.” 

“ Mon Dieu., do not view the thing so tragically, as 
though you were seeking material for one of Nikolaus 
Lenaus, blood-curdling stories,” he continued, un- 
mercifully. “ What am I, in the end, to your name, 
or your name to me ? The world will soon learn 
what extraordinary fortune fate has cast into my life, 
and that I am not Count Dynar’s own son, but the 
son of a Polish rebel who instinctively seeks the 
sphere to wliich he belongs, and in which, at the side 
of his own father had he lived, he would have been 
at home.” 

“You will not betray your secret to the world? 
acknowledge the disgrace of your origin ? ” Xenia had 
sprung from her seat. A vertigo had seized her, and 
everything seemed to swim around her. “ That 
would be perfidious. That would be infamous.” 

Astounded she gazed into his calm eyes. 

“ Why should I conceal anything ? That would 
appear as though I were a coward, ashamed of my 
origin and my father ! ” 

Xenia stepped nearer to him, and then, with trem- 
bling hands, clung to his arm. 

“ Janek,” came imploringly from her lips, “I have 
never sued for a favor in my life. I have never im- 
plored a human soul for mercy. Now, for the first 


POLISH BLOOD. 


79 


time, I humble myself to yon, and call upon your 
generosity, your gallantry. Janek, do not brand my 
name before tlie world as a comedian, a circus-rider — 
that would be to kill me. I never could outlive the 
shame ! ” 

Again that word — Shame ! — and it sounded in the 
young man’s ears just as it did that summer evening 
long ago on the heath, when the wind mockingly 
took it up and like a scourge it had pursued him 
tlirough the world ever since. “ Shame ! ” — that had 
been the poisonous drop with which that proud maid- 
en’s lips had embittered his young life. 

He looked at her — ^looked at her with his firmly 
closed moutli, down into the troubled countenance 
that appeared more lovely than ever as the large, dark 
eyes were raised imploringly to his face. 

How great must have been the pride of the Countess 
Xenia ; and how much greater must have been 
the shame which the cuckoo had brought into the 
house, to make this haughty neck bend under its 
burden. 

Violently he shook the white hand from his arm 
as though it had been a poisonous insect, and trem- 
bling with pride and indignation he stood, with flash- 
ing eyes before her, majestic as a king. 

“ Miserable creature ! ” he cried, “ you would tread 
me under your very feet, and yet you are too weak 
to maintain your position ! Down with the mask, 
and an end to the play that threatens to degrade me. 
You considered the Pole too pitifully weak and 
cowardly to be able to deny himself the silken couch 
upon which a blind fate had cast him. You would 
raise your proud head and scorn the vanity of the 
man who permits his pride and self-respect to be 
choked by the golden chains that also closes his 
mouth, and makes him the slave of public opinion. 
Thousands, perhaps, wlmm you would have ‘ willingly’ 
chosen as the heir of your name, shrewd and calculat- 
ing, from fear of the venomous tongues of society’s 
critics, would have veiled the past and continued 


80 


POLISH BLOOD. 


their contemptible r61e behind a smooth mask. But 
I, the Pole, the son of the houseless fugitive, revolt 
against such degradation. I renounce, also, the name 
of brother to a woman who, enforced, endures me as 
a stain upon her escutcheon, and regards me as an 
intruder and a burden ; and further, I take all your 
glittering gold, with which you seek to make me 
defenseless, and together with your proud name, cast 
them at your feet. By my own talents will I make 
my way in life, and I shall show, and prove to you, 
that there are men who are as proud as you. Countess 
Xenia.. The testament of your father is not to be 
altered. But I willingly renounce, in future, the 
honor of bearing the name of Count Dynar. ‘ Janek 
Proczna ’ — nothing more nor less will be my name. 
And henceforth, Countess Xenia, will our paths sep- 
arate ; henceforth shall I be a stranger to you until 
you ‘ willingly ’ call me to your side to acknowledge 
me as a brother, and invest me with all the rights of 
your father’s testament. Should you ever, however, 
need assistance or protection of a strong arm call 
upon the Pole, Janek Proczna, and be assured that 
every breath and every drop of blood will be joyfully 
sacrificed for the daughter of my beloved, never-to- 
be-forgotten adopted father. I do not leave you, 
Xenia, but you drive me from you. And this is my 
determination — here — and if God so wills it — for 
eternity.” 

He gazed for a second out at the gloomy, stormy 
sky, bowed— and with a firm step crossed the thresh- 
old. 

As though stupefied, Xenia gazed after him. She 
raised her hands to hold him back, sank back in her 
seat and buried her pale face in its cushions. 

The heir of Proczna knelt at the tomb of his adopt- 
ed father, and leaned his burning face down upon the 
cool bronze. A bunch of blossoms,- upon which the 
raindrops still lingered, was the last token to the 
memory of his adopted father. 

At early dawn the following morning the traveling 
carriage rolled through the castle gateway. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


81 


Countess Xenia raised herself in her couch and 
listened to its departure. Her burning eyes, to which 
no sleep had come in the night, stared at the lace 
pattern of the bed-canopy, while her feverish hand 
pressed her brow. 

He had gone — really gone — and forever. 

And again she saw him standing before her, tall, 
handsome and even prouder than herself. The first 
man that had ever awed her, this Pole, before whose 
eyes her gaze had fallen as though she were a crimi- 
nal ! • 

But why do the fine arabesques in the lace canopy 
suddenly run together and form a mist before her 
eyes? Then large letters form themselves slowly out 
of it : “should ever a warmer and sweeter love steal 
into your heart.” 

Countess Xenia had a high fever ; then she shiv- 
ered as though a chill had pierced her cold, i)roud 
heart ; and yet her brow burned. She pressed her 
hot face into her pillow and remained motionless. 

The sound of the carriage wheels slowly died 
away. The cuckoo in the nest had broken its nar- 
row shell, and a young eagle had mounted, free — 
bold — high up to meet the sun — for eternity, out into 
the wide, wide world. 


CHAPTER VI. 

Over the great Northern city of X. stretched a 
gloomy autumn sky. 

The old, respectable business houses, which had 
stood for centuries, as though on parade, in long rows 
in the narrow streets, one just as gray and solernn, 
just as modest and retiring as the other, opened wide 
their drowsy window eyes with astonishment, upon 
the regiment of cavalry in their bright Uhlan en uni- 
form, that came dashing through their quiet streets. 

Under waving flags and loud hurrahs of the peo- 
ple, this regiment of cavalry made its entrance into 


82 


POLISH BLOOD. 


the city. Its object was to take possession of the 
great city garrison, which for years had been only 
partly occupied by a few companies of infantry and 
artillery, and at the same time to form an elegant re- 
lief for a court which, to the delight of the inhab- 
itants, was to take up its residence for years to come 
in Northern Aix-la-Chapelle. 

His Royal Highness, Prince August Ferdinand, a 
member of one of the reigning houses of Germany, 
was intrusted with the command of this division, in 
consequence of which he, together with his consort, 
Anna Regina, were to take up their residence in X., 
the future field of his activity. 

He was received with open arms. All day long from 
the high gables of the houses waved gay-colored ban- 
ners, and across the narrow streets swung countless 
garlands, bidding the illustrious pair a thousand times 
welcome. At night the whole city was illuminated, 
countless candles from behind the window panes lent 
their rays to the gay crowds of brave citizens that 
lined the streets. At the same time from all quar- 
ters of the city resounded, from time to time, the 
deafening reverberations of the cannon, intermingled 
with the firing of small arms and the cries of the 
overjoyed inhabitants, until late in the night. 

The newly-restored government house opened its 
great arched gateway, over which were the royal arms, 
ornamented with laurel, to receive the illustrious 
pair within its massive walls. 

From time immemorial the great gray mass had 
lifted itself like a gloomy Collossus against the sky. 
Now suddenly, from the long lines of windows came 
a radiance as though the fairies were holding their 
revels, or as though the dark stone mass had been 
steeped into a sea of golden foam and then ornamented 
with the stars of heaven. Like a majestic conflagra- 
tion of joy it stood in the midst of this sea of illumi- 
nated houses. 

Through the formerly quiet streets thundered 
equipages ; spurs and sabers clanked and neighing 


POLISH BLOOD. 


83 


horses danced under the spur of their military mas- 
ters as they dashed under the balconies where dwelt, 
as in good old times, the quiet citizens in their caps 
and Gretchen aprons. 

Rosemaiy and yellow jasmine still nodded behind 
many a gable-window where the merchants’ daughters 
lived, pious and modest, just as their grandmothers 
had done centuries before them. The old city seemed 
to be in a gay, confused dream, in which laughter, 
gayety and brilliant show suddenly reveled through 
its streets ; a new life seemed suddenly to have 
passed into it as sweet and insinuating as the fra- 
grance of flowers ; and yet the wind blew sharply 
around the corners and sent the dust in thick clouds 
around its old head. 

Life and the world ! 

The good, rich, self-satisfied citizens of X. had not 
even dreamed of the height to which culture had 
lifted its head beyond their boundaries. They had 
lain upon the “ bear-skins ” — after the manner of 
their ancient German warriors — and drawn their 
nightcaps over their ears, and slept on, untroubled 
whether or not the hand of their clocks remained 
standing, or ashes rained from heaven. And now 
suddenly a new sun had risen over their heads, whose 
purple beams broke through the twilight, and showed 
them the altar of worship upon which the nineteenth 
century scatters its incense, with “ Elegance,” “ Lux- 
ury,” “Progress” revealed as its motto. 

The good fathers of the city drew on their long- 
skirted dress-coats, set their largest spectacles before 
their wondering eyes, and with gold-headed canes 
made their way, solemn and dignified, toward the 
portals of the castle in order to pay at the grand ban- 
quet their heartfelt devotions to the princely pair ; 
almost blinded, they stared at the magnificence of 
this court feast, which, jocund and happy, sent its 
reflection even beyond the gold grating which inclos- 
ed the marble steps of the vestibule ; and when these 
fathers early the next morning wandered homeward 


84 


POLISH BLOOD. 


with tlieir spectacles awry and their coats covered 
with gold powder, they leaned heavily upon one an- 
other, and sang with thick and happy tongues many 
a merry song of bygone days. 

A fresh, new season had broken upon Northern 
Aix-la-Chapelle. The soldiery blew a loud hurrah 
into the drowsy ears of the old city. The flags upon 
the government buildings were hoisted and announced 
a host of feasts and elegant entertainments. 

Two years have flown since then. 

The physiognomy of X. had in that time very 
materially changed. The nightcap was slipped from 
its head, and replaced by the rose-garland. All kinds 
of trade and business bloomed up, as though instilled 
with new life. The aristocracy of the surrounding 
country that had formerly spent their winters in the 
South, or at the residence, now came with their 
followers to spend their time and their money at the 
Court of Prince Ferdinand. 

The market-place, in the center of which stood a 
carved stone fountain, bearing the statue of Saint 
Nepomuck, was flanked on one side by the strange 
old gabled government house used for the affairs of 
State, on the right by the ancient cathedral. The 
Chancellor’s palace formed the corner of a narrow 
street, and was occupied by His Excellency Baron 
Gartner, who at the same time held the title of Canon 
of the Cathedral and Chancellor of State. 

The gray, smoky, one-storied building with its 
faQade, extended far over the market hall. Time had 
strewn with dust the ecclesiastical arms which 
throned the great arched gateway, partially crumbled 
the statues of the window cornices, and hung a veil 
over the stone wall which supported the somewhat 
projecting story. 

The sweet fragrance of early spring pervaded the 
somewhat low but costly furnished salons. The fold- 
ing doors were wide open, and through the long line 
of apartments, that ranged one after the other like 
jewels in a necklace, there was a vista of color-splen- 
dor. 


POLISH BLOOD 


85 


A dial niiiig little boudoir formed the close of this 
line of salons. Here, almost everything suggested 
by the taste of an elegant lady was accumniulated. 
Rococo furniture covered with, most elegantly em- 
broidered damask, gold marqueterie, plaques on the 
walls, marble statues and tall bronze consoles were 
ranged in the most careless and charming disorder 
lieavy silken purple-lined portidres draped the broad 
windows and doorways ; real Meizner porcelain 
statues coquetted with one another from their costly 
cornices, and from out their oval frames gazed a 
Watteau, Claude Lorraine, or a Lairesse ; behind the 
corner divans nodded the noble palms, and in one 
corner a many-colored Amazon parrot rocked itself 
on its golden ring. 

In the two great dragon candlesticks, upon the 
writing desk burned wax candles, whose light fell 
upon the tall form of a lady bending low over an open 
drawer, and with her white hands sorting the papers 
before her. 

Her profile was as fine and beautiful as the features 
of a Roman gem, her complexion delicate and fresh, 
and the wavy hair, in which a jewel of rubies over her 
brow flashed its glowing fire, was jet black. A robe 
of rich red satin, completely covered with black lace, 
flowed in a long train over the carpet ; the cut of the 
garment was low at the neck, d coeui% and so dScolletS 
that it revealed the white bosom rising above a mass 
of swinging fuchsias. 

The small head bent low over a billet-doux in order 
to reread its contents. 

“ Ma Men cTiere ! ” was written in somewhat indiffer- 
ent hand-writing under a Prince’s crown. “ I sincerely 
hope to meet Carlo this evening at your house. In- 
vite me to see you under the pretext of attending a 
musicale. I am full of anxiety and excitement, but 
depend upon the management and discretion of my 
dear friend. Au revoir ; I embrace you. 

“ Anna Regina.” 


86 


POLISH BLOOD 


The fine lips of the reader drew more closely to- 
gether as she carefully folded this billet and laid it 
to one side with a package 'of selected letters, ^ihen 
she unfolded a second rosy-tinted leaf. 

“ I shall come at the appointed time. See that we 
will be undisturbed with O. Toujours la meme. A. B.” 

This was also laid away with the others. 

Light footsteps sounded in the adjoining salon. 

“Excellenz, I beg pardon ” 

As though from a sudden shock, the beautiful 
head of the lady shrank back — a deep and angry fold 
defined itself on her white brow. 

“ What do you mean, Jean ? ” she almost hissed. 
“ Have I not forbidden all interruptions ? ” 

“ I am aware, I beg pardon ; but my lord sent me 
to beg your Excellenz to go to him ! Another severe 
attack of coughing has seized him. . . .” 

“ What nonsense to annoy me with it ! My hus- 
band has coughed as long as I have known him,” 
interrupted Madame Leonie von Gartner sharply. 
“ Give him his medicine and he will be better. It is 
becoming a mania with him to send for me for every 
trifling change he notices ! ” 

“ This time it really seems to be more serious,” 
said Jean timidly. “ His Excellenz is feeling very 

weak and depressed ” 

“ It makes no difference. I cannot go now. Tell 
him that I am looking every moment for one of the 
Princess’s maids of honor. Besides, I urgently wish 
my husband to appear in the salon this evening. The 
Princess and an invited company must be received 
by the master of the house ! I wish it most earnest- 
ly.” Jean bowed low and respectfully. The wish 
of his mistress bore the impress of command. He 
knew the tone only too well. So he went, with a 
shadow on his brow and a sigh on his lips. 

Over in the quiet work-room lay the poor old 
Chancellor in his reclining chair, pale, unhappy and 


POLISH BLOOP. 


87 


entirely deserted ; upon hearing the wish of his wife 
he nodded with that patient, heart-rending maimer, 
as he laid his hands upon his painful breast, and 
whispered softly : 

“ The dress-coat, and orders, Jean. I think I shall 
be better! ” 

Jean’s brow darkened ; he had once read a poem 
which haunted him ever since he had served in the 
Chancellor’s house. 

“The poor old King took a young wife I ” 

In the meanwhile, Madame Leonie with a very 
irritable expression about her mouth, continued to 
pack her billets carefully together. After tying 
them with a silken ribbon, she pressed upon a hov- 
ering amorette which was painted upon the side wall 
of her ebony writing-desk. 

A little trap-board sprang out, which under the 
pressure of the slender fingers moved noiselessly to 
one side and betrayed an open view into a secret 
receptacle, wherein a number of neatly-tied packages 
were lodged. 

Her Excellency pushed the billets bearing the 
Prince’s crown carefully inside, as though the weal 
and woe of the country and its inhabitants depended 
upon their security. 

With a sharp glance she again examined it, to see 
whether or not it was secure, then pushing the thin 
wooden trap-board back in its place, the rosy finger 
again pressed upon the amorette and with a slight 
snap the spring turned in the lock. Not the slightest 
trace of a secret place of confinement could then be 
discovered. 

The wife of the Chancellor von Gartner then 
leaned back in her chair for a moment. She en- 
deavored to control the excitement under which she 
labored, while the fuchsia bells under her white 
throat trembled as though a sudden breeze had passed 
over them. 

Clear and bright fell the light down upon her fine 
face ; every nerve and fiber in it seemed to breathe 


88 


POLISH BLOOD. 


triumph. Over the pointed, dazzlingly white teeth 
the red lips closed like a rosebud, but the fine lines 
that now twitched convulsively about the corners of 
the mouth related whole dramas of venomous words 
and tortured human hearts. 

Large and wonderfully brilliant were her eyes, but 
their variable color from green to gray reminded one 
of the changeful, faithless sea ; at times the humid 
glance froze to ice, and the brilliant flash became a 
chill. 

But nevertheless her Excellency was beautiful, 
very beautiful ! 

Again the sound of light footsteps was heard in 
the adjoining salon ; this time they were expected. 

“ Countess Kany, maid of honor to h er Royal 
Highness the Princess ! ” announced the servant. 

Her Excellency Madame Gartner rose and passed 
slowly through the long range of salons to meet the 
maid of honor. Her rich satin robe flowed in glow- 
ing folds over her tall, slender, willowy figure, and 
fell softly rustling in a long train upon the thick 
carpet far behind her. 

“ A ma chere ! My dearest Kany ! ” and Madame 
Leoiiie opened her arms with the most bewitching 
friendliness, and bowed over the small lady to press 
a kiss upon each cheek. 

“ I have been longing for you for some time, with 
the expectation of enjoying your society alone ; but, 
you nauglity one, you have robbed me of a precious 
quarter of an hour.” 

“ It was impossible, my love — entirely impossible ! 
You know very well how very unreliable her High- 
ness is ; she detained me with a thousand bagatelles, 
upon which she places immense importance, whether 
white or cream, or hot or cold, sweet or sour. You 
are well aware, my love, how dependent her High- 
ness is ? ” 

The speaker sank with a fatigued air down in the 
swelling cushions of a fauteuil, and opened her fan of 
ostrich feathers. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


89 


Her thin, shrill voice aroused Leonie’s pet dog, 
which, jumping from its cushion, placed itself in an 
angry attitude and began to bark at the noble visitor 
in the most hostile manner. 

Mollie was right, the Countess Kany was not every 
one’s taste. A remarkably unprepossessing head, high- 
ly ornamented, was placed somewhat to one side, be- 
tween a pair of very lean shoulders. The features 
were sharp, and the cheeks colorless and sunken ; the 
arms were long, and the hands strikingly bony. A 
huge bouquet of gay geraniums swung to and fro, in 
the midst of many ornaments and still more lace, over 
a shrunken breast, as though spasmodic efforts had 
been made to retrieve what stepmother nature, had 
neglected in the unfortunate figure of the Countess. 

A mixture of shrewdness and bitterness was ex- 
pressed upon the countenance and the whole figure ; 
and if it had not been known that Anna Regina had 
inherited her maid of honor as a kind of heirloom 
from her mother, the choice of the Princess for a com- 
panion might not have been understood. 

Her Excellency seated herself opposite the maid of 
honor and softly sighed, while one of her sweetest 
and most confiding smiles wreathed her pretty mouth. 

“Yes, you are right, my dearest Countess; it is no 
easy task to serve and please her Highness. Yet you 
understand your position and maintain your authority 
in a masterly manner, and the princess must be ex- 
ceedingly grateful to you for it, for entre nous soit 
dit! Anna Regina, with her dependent character, is 
not one that could maintain herself alone in any 
position. Mon Dieu^ what a condition of affairs would 
exist at Court if we did not keep our eyes open and 
exercise a favorable influence. You especially, my 
dearest Countess, are indispensable and marvelous in 
this respect. You are my right hand and support in 
my most difficult position, as the intimate friend of 
Anna Regina ! ” And as she spoke her Excellency 
placed her hand with inimitable grace, which bore the 
impress of sincerity upon the homely hand of the maid 
of honor. 


90 


POLISH BLOOD. 


A sweet smile distorted the countenance of the 
Countess Kany ; at the same time a lurking glance 
from under her eyelashes pierced her vis-a-vis through 
and through, and most plainly betrayed how welcome, 
“ Au qui vive f ” was to her. 

“ All courtesy d has., my love. I am only a little 
wheel of the great machine which you have set in 
motion. Let us drop all this self-abnegation and 
modesty in a tete-d-tUe of this character ! The entire 
court circle and the whole city are aware of the mysteri- 
ous influence you exercise over the Princess ; a word, 
a look from you is sufficient to turn her most obsti- 
nate caprice, and make her bend to your opinion. 
They imagine you have unearthed the magic man- 
drake, which gives its fortunate possessor complete 
command of the human heart. Be that as it may, I 
am heartily rejoiced at the position you have taken 
in regard to Anna Regina, for your principles and ideas 
are in ever}^ way in sympathy with my own, and you 
must have been convinced more than once how desir- 
ous I was to play into your hand. 

Leonie raised her beautiful head with a conscious 
air. hien ! you are right, my dearest Countess, 

to lift the visor in order that we stand face to face 
with each other. We are playing on the same side 
to check the queens in this great game of chess, and 
defend the same interests. It would be foolish, there- 
fore, for us to weaken our forces by mutual evasions. 
We have enough pawns, knights and bishops for op- 
ponents, which we must drive from the field ! W ell, 
be it understood, we have a common cause. Do you 
agree ? 

With an eager grip the bony fingers of the maid of 
honor clutched the snow-white hand, soft and velvety 
as a cat’s paw without its claws, that extended itself 
toward her. 

“Your opinion is mine. Excellency,” cried the 
harsh voice, in tones like the first notes of a trumpet 
calling for attack. “ I intrust myself completely to 
your discretion and guidance, and I am convinced 


POLISH BLOOD. 91 

that with our united forces we shall ever be able to 
win the day.” 

“ This is my conviction also,” and Baroness Gart- 
ner drew her lips down firmly over her white teeth 
and leaned comfortably on the arm of her chair; 
“and I consider it our duty to play the r81e of a 
Providence to her Highness. I alone can do much, 
but still not enough. A single thread may serve as 
a leading-string to a person so completely devoid of 
will as Anna Regina, but it requires many threads 
to spin a web capable of controlling a wider surface ; 
and if we wish our position at Court to be an influ- 
ential one, we must consider the consequences such 
an undertaking involves. With this uncertainty of 
the situation, we must, before all, count upon main- 
taining the ground beneath our feet.” 

“Very right, my love,” and the geranium bouquet 
vibrated on the bosom of the Countess ; “my opinion 
exactly; we must form a clique; we shall have 
many to oppose us ; such revolutionary fur must be 
smoothed down with an iron brush.” And about 
the corner of this beautiful woman’s mouth formed 
again those hard, cold lines, while a sharp flash came 
from her cold eye. “ And this theme brings us to 
the point in question. What say you to the unpre- 
cedented step of the Prince in choosing an adjutant 
of the infantry a man with the common, and at the 
same time very English, name of Gower? ” 

The Countess drew eagerly nearer, and with an 
expression of intense desperation, closed her fan and 
sighed. 

“ I am beside myself, my love ! ” 

“ How irrational to bring this foreign element into 
our very exclusive circle. What a mistaken, phil- 
anthropic idea has possessed his Highness by this 
absurd favoritism, which will only place a poor 
young man in hot water ! for he will never be at 
home in our midst. Tlien, if he were alone, we miglit 
make an effort to receive him ; but think of it, my 
dearest friend, the unfortunate has a wife in tow, 


92 


POLISH BLOOD. 


an impossible person, without name, money or chic ! 

“ How could we receive such a nobody’s daughter 
into our society without lowering our own dignity ? 
Such a step on the part of the Prince I believe un- 
heard of, and, if possible, not to be tolerated.” 

The crooked little figure drew herself up resolutely 
— “ We will remonstrate, we will oppose it.” 

“ C'est pa.'” nodded Madame Leonie, while her 
eyes glittered strangely. “ I am determined to use 
all my influence to give the matter another turn. 
August Ferdinand has an almost incredible weakness 
for his wife ; perhaps his jealousy might prove the 
handle that would turn the affair into the proper 
track. It was my wish to see my little friend Flan- 
dern in the immediate vicinity of the Prince ; he is a 
most charming companion, a cavalier of the first 
order and a most devoted, sincere friend of mine. 
In my opinion he is just suited for the position of 
adjutant, for since the poor little fellow sprained 
his foot at the races, he his unfitted for the front 
ranks in the cavalry service.” 

“Yes, yes; you are right, poor boy!” And the 
red eyelids of the Countess shrunk smaller and 
smaller together; “he is indeed a very charming 
young man.” 

“ Your shadow, my dearest friend, who would be 
envied by the whole jeunesse dorSe for the honor of 
being allowed to carry your train. People say you 
are trying to marry him off, and that you are doing 
all in your power to assist him in his courtship with 
Gerty Wreda — ” 

“ Courtship with Gerty Wreda ! ” Madame Leonie 
started as though the tongue of her friend had been 
a needle that had suddenly pierced her heart. Then 
she laughed softly ; “ How very indiscreet for people 
to look so deeply into my hand in this game ! Pas- 
sons la dessus.^^ 

“That secret does not belong to me alone. To 
return to the adjutant, we must anticipate Mr. 
Gower’s coming, and undermine the ground from 


POLISH BLOOD. 


93 


before his footsteps. We shall oppose him in every 
way, and as to his ‘ lovely lady,’ she will not be re- 
ceived by us at all. I shall make it my object this 
evening to see that society follows my example. 
But the main thing is to keep Anna Regina at a dis- 
tance from her.” 

“ Impossible. My dear Madame must be pre- 
sented to her Highness.” 

Her Excellency, Madame Gartner, gave a low, 
satanical laugh. 

“ Do not be troubled on that point. I shall be at 
her Highness’s side when Madame Gower is pre- 
sented, and I shall see that the Princess speaks to her 
for the first and last time.’^ 

“ Ah — I am surprised ” 

“ And if we manage the affair in a skillful man- 
ner, Mr. Adjutant will find himself so completely 
beaten that he will retire of his own accord from the 
field. 

“That is the very art that those who surround 
sovereign authority should understand — to be from 
time to time a kind of Chinese wall — to keep off 
those who would incommode royalty, or obtrude 
themselves upon it ! ” 

“ Superhe ! ” 

“ But first of all, there is one point that nearly dis- 
tracts my brain,” and Her Excellency turned her 
ruby bracelet mechanically about her full white arm, 
as she thoughtfully lowered her beautiful head for a 
moment. 

“ And that is ? ” 

“ The Countess Xenia Dynar ! ” The name sounded 
like the hiss of a serpent on the lips of her Excel- 
lency, and the head of the Countess darted forward 
as though greedy to pick up the name from her lips. 

“ Aha ! I comprehend, I understand,” she nodded, 
musingly. 

“ This much admired beauty of the last two seasons 
begins really to stand in my way,” continued Leonie 
in a bitingly sharp tone. “ This arrogant person 


94 


POLISH BLOOD. 


defies all upon her name and her wealth, and seeks 
in the most arrogant manner to wound any one who 
may stand in her way. Do you believe that I was 
unable to attach her in the least to my person? 
Every advance glided off from her as from an ice- 
berg. Heaven defend me, I do not wish it. She 
raises her golden head as consciously superior above 
us all as though her presence at our entertainments 
were an honor and a favor.” 

“ Truly said, my dear — a ridiculous person — 
unbearable arrogance ! She begins to imagine that 
she already has the Prince’s crown in her pocket.” 

“ Bah, I believe the good Prince Heller Hiiningen 
would very soon freeze his nose in her frosty 
presence ! But all the same — 

A grating sound in the beautiful woman’s voice 
betrayed how capable she was of hating, and draw- 
ing nearer she continued in a lower tone, “ Have you 
never observed what efforts Anna Regina makes to 
raise this yellow head to the rank of an intimate 
friend ? ” 

The fan of the Countess Kany waved vigorously 
to and fro. “ That is a subject I would like to discuss 
with you.” 

“ I fear that this is a point against which it will be 
useless to contend,” continued Leonie, with darkened 
brow. “ Every gentleman of the court would enlist 
in her defense incase we dared, even in thought, to 
attempt to undermine her position. No, I know we 
can accomplish no tiling by any attempt to battle 
against ^her personality, but I have devised another 
plan by which she will be vanquished by her own 
weapon, and that instrument her own arrogance.” 

“ You are a true sorceress, my dear ! My very 

reason pauses Where in all this world will you 

find a terror strong enough to drive this victorious 
beauty from the field? ” 

Her Excellency, Madam Gartner, drew herself up 
to her full height, the rubies glowed like fireballs in 
her dark hair, and with the triumphant cry, “ Va 


POLISH BLOOD. 


95 


baiiqne ” of the player, who wagers his all upon a 
single number, her voice trembling with exultation, 
sounded down into the ear of the Countess : 

“ Janek Proczna ! ” 

“ Janek Proczna! in mercy’s name, the singer?” 

“ Lieutenant von Flanders,” announced the domestic 
between the portieres. 

“ Ah, charmant I charmant ! you return to us, O 
wanderer, at the right time.” 


CHAPTER VII. 

Halting footsteps approached. Drawing one foot 
after him. Count von Flanders, a Ulanen officer, 
stepped into the salon, and was received with the 
very flattering observation, “The sun rises!” by her 
Excellenc}^ and bowing low over the extended hand 
he imprinted upon it a kiss of homage. ^ 

The spurs clinked again ostensibly before the 
Countess Kany, whose countenance from pure de- 
light contracted into a thousand wrinkles. Then 
Lieutenant Von Flanders, as loyal page, sank down 
in one of the many cushions scattered in Oriental 
custom, at the feet of her Excellency, Madame 
Gartner. 

“ I have again come ten minutes too early, your 
Excellency,” — said he, laughing in the tone of a con- 
fidential friend, “but you know me as a gourmand, 
who would steal the first delicious draught from the 
fragrant chalice of the rose before it is served for all 
upon the salver.” 

The Countess Kany threatened him with her fan, 
while Leonie started, apparently alarmed. “ Only ten 
minutes too early ! . Then must we hasten indeed 
with our secret conference if we would form the 
league of protection and defiance before the arrival. 
We were just discussing the Dynar topic, my dear 
Flanders, which my respected friend here finds as 
unrefreshing as I.” 


96 


POLISH BLOOD. 


And inclining herself somewhat nearer them she 
continued, laughing at the expression of the startled 
maid of honor’s face : 

“You will find Von Flanders already perfectly au 
fait., my dear Countess, for, strange to say, he is one 
of the few exceptions who has not been blinded by 
the radiance of golden hair.” 

“ Strange to say ? ” — the pale face of the young 
officer turned with a reproachful and at the same 
time languishing look toward the speaker. “The 
Knight who has ever sought to do gallant service for 
the Queen Rose will never bear the ‘ Snow-ball ’ on 
his crest.” 

“You are an incorporated bow, wow aw^^.'” and 
Leonie, making her pretty mouth still smaller, cast a 
coquettish glance upon the speaker. Then continu- 
ing, “ But to the point ! The Countess Dynar is 
turning into a path that crosses our own, and is, in 
consequence, superfluous. To omit her name from 
our entertainments is wholly impossible — ergo, she 
must take to flight and evacuate the field herself be- 
fore some scarecrows we shall set up in oui* blooming 
wheat field.” 

“ And for this purpose you named, a moment ago, 
the singer Proczna, my love ? ” and the little eyes of 
the maid of honor fairly sparkled with interest. 

The young officer gave a short laugh, and nodded 
his head. “Of course, Janek Proczna! Get your 
smelling salts ready. Countess, for you are going to 
hear wonderful things about this celebrated man.” 

“ Oh ! — a scandal, a liaison ? — with the iceberg with 
the golden hair?” Gabrielle Kany, in her anxiety 
to know the particulars of the case, could scarcely 
command breath enough to ask all the questions she 
wished. 

“Oh, heaven forbid! No such idea!” said her 
Excellency, shaking her head contemptuously. “ It 
is said that Janek Proczna, in his triumphal career, 
has trampled as many roses under his feet as laurels, 
and as to conquests, he has had as many victories as 


POLISH BLOOD. 


97 


the fabulous Lorelei ; but even though his musical lips 
had the power to remove mountains, enchant the 
beasts of the forest and lure the trees to loosen their 
roots and follow him, yet would his power be lost 
upon such a stony heart as that of the haughty and 
stubborn Countess Xenia. 

“ Prince Heller-Hiiningen can heat his royal crown 
red-hot and melt the ice about her heart ! ” said her 
Excellency’s prot^gd, laughing very maliciously. 

Countess Kany looked disappointed, and asked, in 
astonishment: “What kind of influence could 
Proczna possibly exercise over her, if she cannot be 
made even to interest herself in him ? ” 

“ More than you imagine— listen ! Our friend Baron 
Flanders has been my right hand in the exceedingly 
difficult task of reconnoitering the beautiful Countess 
Dynar, just with the hope of finding a loose stone in 
the bulwark of her pride, behind which she has 
intrenched herself. We stretched our feelers secretly 
and harmlessly in every direction, laid mines and 
countermines, and at last brought up the key to 
Xenia’s heart to light in the person of her waiting- 
maid, Gustine, an old, gossipy person, who had no 
suspicion why the fat Ulanen corporal courted her 
so vigorously.” 

“ Ulanen corporal ? ” 

“ Yes, the former companion of our Lord Premier 
here, upon whom he could count in any emergency ” — 
“ Faithful as a dog, and cunning as — as — ” 

“ As his lord and master,” laughed Leonie, as she 
threw a fuchsia bell at his cheek. 

“ Please no further interruptions, for the rattling 
of the teacups can be heard! Well, Gustine told 
of the many, many years she had spent in the deepest 
solitude of the Dynar Castle, and of the immense 
sums she had during that time stowed away in her 
stocking, and in her eagerness to confide all she 
knew, she spoke of a brother of the Countess — ” 
“Brother?” 

“Well, to make a long story short, we find our- 

7 


98 


POLISH BLOOD. 


selves after careful investigation, in possession of an 
exceedingly interesting history. The Polish name 
of the Dyiiar ancestral castle, which the Countess 
Xenia makes such desperate efforts to Germanize 
whenever any reference is made to the name, is in 
reality Proczna. Janek Proczna, the concert singer, 
the genius, whose fame like a glowing rocket has 
spread from Paris through the whole of Europe, 
this most phenomenal of all appearances on the 
horizon of art, is the adopted son of the old Count. 
He was formerly a guard in the Cuirassier regiment, 
which position he resigned as has been reported, to 
undertake a journey of many years in foreign coun- 
tries ; and only think, it is already a well-known fact 
in the Residence. Many of his former comrades have 
heard, seen, and recognized him, in consequence of 
which he has been presented at court, and though 
his pseudonym is honored, yet it is to the title of 
Count Dynar he owes his reception. This explains 
the mysterious insinuations made by the newspapers 
in regard to his aristocratic lineage. The Countess 
Xenia has never mentioned a word concerning 
him, a positive evidence that he is the thorn in 
her proud flesh — this concert singer, this found- 
ling of Polish extraction, who would so shock- 
ingly degrade her to acknowledge as brother. And 
thereupon rests my plan. Janek Proczna must by 
all means be invited here, in order that his arrogant 
sister may leave the field to avoid the disgrace of 
such a relationship.” 

“ Bravo I bravissimo ! ” — Lieutenant von Flanders 
twisted his delicate black mustache, until its ends 
became as fine as needle points, while his sickly pale 
face became overspread with a faint blush, which 
gradually rose higher and higher, until it reached 
his closely shaven black hair. 

“Janek Proczna, the brother of the proudest of 
all the proud ! The Polish foundling, the concert 
singer, the bearer of her holy name ! ” — and the 
Countess Kany threw herself back in her cushioned 


POLISH BLOOD. 


99 


seat and fairly crowed aloud with malicious pleasure. 

“ Be still, still — guests are arriving ! ’’ 

“ Still another word, your Excellency ; it will cost 
an enormous sum to induce this celebrated artist to 
give his concerts here I ” 

A cold, pitiless expression passed over Leonie’s 
countenance. “ Her Highness will be perfectly 
willing to pay well in order to hear something good,” 
said she, smiling ironically. 

“ Yes, but will she be able ? ” 

‘‘We shall not allow that part of the affair to bring 
any gray hairs in our heads : but please be on the 
alert ; when I raise the Proczna signal I shall expect 
you to second me in word and deed.” 

And her Excellency turned her beautiful head and 
smiled sweetly upon the bent form of her husband, 
who at that moment with difficulty tottered into the 
room. 

Equipages rolled before the portal of the Chan- 
cellor’s palace, trains rustled through the arched 
vestibule, spurs and sabers clinked upon the stair- 
case, and above, in the grand salon, stood the slen- 
der, imposing figure of the hostess under the most 
brilliantly illuminated of the chandeliers, and did the 
honors with the most bewitching grace. 

Very soon a brilliant medley of colored splendor, of 
satin, velvet, lace, uniforms, surged through the hos- 
pitable salons of her Excellency, and came but once to 
a stand-still to stare at the Countess Dyiiar, who 
entered on the arm of her Uncle Drach. 

“Another new toilette ! ” whispered the Countess 
Kany in the ear of her confidante, and her Excel- 
lency’s glance for a second looked daggers as it passed 
over the charming appearance of her rival before she 
hastened to receive her with outstretched hands and 
the sunniest of smiles. 

Lieutenant von Flanders was the first guest to 
bow low before the “ Snowball ! ” but unfortunately 
he was too small to attract her attention immediately, 
and her glance passed indifferently away beyond hiin, 


100 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Of course Prince Heller-Hiiningen will be hon- 
ored with the tip of her dainty finger I ” remarked the 
Countess Kany a demi voix.^ and Leonie gave a slight 
contemptuous shrug of her shoulders. “ Under the 
title of cousin many a matter of course thing may 
occur and pass unnoticed ! ” and at that she turned 
to the little rosy blonde to utter in her ear the 
sweetest of compliments, but at the same time her 
glance wandered unnoticed to Xenia, who had taken 
a seat upon one of the corner divans. 

At her side stood her cousin, the young Prince 
Donat von Heller-Huninger, a tall, slender }"oung 
fellow, in the gay uniform of his regiment, his saber 
at his side, and his czaka on his arm. 

He was the lion of the day, and the “beauty 
patch ” of his regiment, as Leonie jestingly called 
him one day. 

Light blond hair, cut and frizzed after the latest 
mode, framed his open and exceedingly handsome 
countenance, which though not intellectual was ex- 
ceedingly aimable ; and the short upper lip, under 
which the snow-white teeth showed through his 
curved and carefully-trained mustache whenever he 
laughed, gave him an exceedingly original appear- 
ance. 

“ Did you read the books I sent you some time 
ago ? ” asked Xenia with the voice of a dissatisfied 
schoolmistress. 

He became just a little embarrassed. “Now do 
not be angry, my dearest cousin,” he pleaded with 
all the ingenuousness of a kindly nature. “I really 
did try to begin with ‘ Nathan, the Wise ’ — but, the 
old boy take it, I do not know how it happened, but, 
with all my perseverance, I fell asleep over every 
other page, so I concluded to place a pin in my 
cravat in order not to forget to turn the leaves! 
Nathan, no doubt, was a very good man — but to be 
obliged to read countless lines in black and white to 
be assured of that fact, is enough to make one laugh 
and cry with desperation. I cannot see what you 


POLISH BLOOD. 


101 


can find beautiful or interesting in it. I almost died 
of ennui in attempting to read it.” 

There was such a mournful expression in his large, 
childlike eyes that Xenia involuntarily laughed 
aloud. 

“ Why did you not begin with a ‘ Soldier’s Fortune,’ 
‘Minna Von Barnhelm?’ — then you might have 
spared yourself the pin.” 

“But, my dear cousin, thank my Creator, I already 
know the history of a soldier. I turned those leaves 
immediately.” 

“ Oh, you sinner ! Well, then suppose you begin 
with the poem ‘ Emilia Galotti ,’ and read it through 
from A to Z, and then I will hear you recite the con- 
tents with the greatest interest.” 

The Prince sighed as though aggrieved. “ Do you 
really wish it ? Have my youth and innocence no 
power to move you ? ” 

“Yes, I really wish it,” said Xenia, opening her 
fan, while a fine smile played round her lips, “for I 
never should survive again if you were to ask me, as 
you did once before a large company. ‘ Who wrote 
“Emilia Galotti ”?’ You had searched through 
Schiller in vain to find it !” 

Prince Heller-Hiiningen’s blond head sank low 
on his breast, as he involuntarily aloud underwent a 
personal examination. “ Let me see ; that was the 
only time that any one laughed during that long and 
frightfully dull evening. Yes, my little cousin, I re- 
member asking Deuwel whether he did not think my 
wit spontaneous ; and that being the case, whether 
it was necessary for a lieutenant to go round with 
a classical dictionary in his pocket ! But you, un- 
fortunately, took the whole thing so frightfully to 
heart, that you, morally speaking, pitched Lessing at 
my head the next day. Since then I have convinced 
myself that ‘ Emilia Galotti ,’ ‘ Nathan the Wise ’ and 
‘ Minna Von Barnhelm ’ are all by Lessing, for I saw 
the three names in the same index, and why should 
I commit the suicidal attempt of fatiguing myself to 
death by reading them ? ” 


102 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ In order that you may not ask the next time in 
which act of ‘ Faust ’ the allegory of the three rings 
is to be found,” and Xenia raised her goldemshim- 
mering head and looked at him reproachfully. “ I 
would like to educate you to be a walking lexicon 
before you are old, Donat.” 

With a crushed air the Prince shook his head. “I 
always was a reprobate ! Books are my inherited 
enemies and literature my weak side ! But why do 
you not ask me to tame the fiery steed in three days, 
and bring it to its knees, or that I ride from here to 
Castle Basec in fifteen minutes, or steal six hairs 
from the Sultan’s beard ? I would risk body and 
soul to procure you either pleasure.” 

The rapping of the improvised Marshal’s staff 
caused the young officer to cease speaking. Xenia 
rose and joined the crowd of ladies that formed 
themselves into a half circle opposite the door. 

The Countess Kany hastened to meet her royal 
mistress, in order to follow her upon her entrance 
into the salons. 

The voices sank for a moment into scarcely audible 
whispers, then the servant opened noiselessly the 
wide folding doors, and her Highness, the Princess 
Anna Regina, on the arm of his Excellency, the Lord 
Chancellor, swept over the threshold. 

Her greeting with Madame Leonie was more than 
cordial, then bowing and smiling her thanks on all 
sides, her Highness with an expression of more 
than friendly interest extended her hand to the 
Countess Dynar. 

Xenia was obliged to bow very low in order to 
press a kiss upon the small hand, for the Princess 
was an exceedingly delicate and ethereal person, so 
slight and graceful that the long train of heavy bro- 
cade seemed an oppressive weight to her. 

From out a pale, childishly gentle face shone great 
soft brown eyes, as though seeking help, like a young 
bird that has ventured all too soon from its nest, and 
feels frightened at the wavering motion of the twig 


POLISH BLOOD. 


103 


beneath its feet. Her blond hair was drawn smoothly 
away from her temples ; a pair of diamond pins 
pierced the Grecian knot that nestled low on the mass 
of waving hair above. 

There were tongues that maintained her Highness 
was but a mere baby in the hands of her maid of 
honor, the Countess Kany. Others again, possessing 
more knowledge of human nature, observing with 
flashing eyes and tightly drawn lips what was going 
on around them, shook their heads and said: “ Anna 
Regina is but a dove in a swarm of hawks ; she dares 
not make an attempt at flight, for she measures the 
danger and superior strength of her opponents.” 

Tea was drank standing, while several members of 
the royal opera, the prot^g^s of the young virtuosos, 
furnished the musical part of the entertainment. 

During the performance of the first two selections 
the Princess, with her habitual amiability, stepped 
into the music salon, followed by all present, after 
which, leaning upon the arm of her Excellency, she 
promenaded through the long line of apartments, and 
at last seated herself in the Rococo-boudoir, where 
she was followed and surrounded by the chosen few. 

Her first glance on entering the salon had con 
vinced her that in the matter of invitations the usual 
exclusiveness had been observed. 

Only Ulan officers; the host himself and the 
Lord Chamberlain, Von Drach, were the only gentle- 
men present that belonged to civil life. 

The sensational reports that were spread abroad 
through the province were neither untrue nor over- 
drawn. In the short space of a year a tone had 
crept into the Ulan regiment which challenged 
public opinion. 

A bulwark of the most wounding arrogance sep- 
arated the Ulan regiment not only from the civil- 
ians, but also from their comrades of the infantry and 
artillery. 

“ Wholly beneath us ! ” was the word of the day. 

The official corps of this almost feudal system was^ 


104 


POLISH BLOOD. 


of course to be recruited from the creme of society. 

Ever since Prince Renseck, whose consort belonged 
to one of the reigning houses of Germany, had been 
placed in command of the regiment, the official depart- 
ment fairly swarmed with royal princes from small 
states and courts seeking to enroll their names in the 
military columns ; and only those of the most ancient 
and renowned names could flatter themselves to be 
accepted under the seven pointed crown of this most 
exclusive aristocracy. Opulence and snobbery luxu- 
riated in their most extravagant blossoms. Their 
comrades of the artillery and infantry who were not 
in such easy circumstances, and in consequence un- 
able to display such brilliant colors, withdrew of their 
own accord, leaving the officers of the Ulans alone 
to pay the cost of the season. 

The aristocratic party not only considered this an 
evasion, but a direct defeat, and they felt justified in 
trampling with haughty contempt upon a party that 
was willing to crawl around with its nose in the dust ! 
But the other party was not content to be trampled 
upon ; — the heavy jack-boots rose and stalked heavily 
over their sneering, would-be oppressors, who found 
that they were not only capable of assuming the de- 
fensive attitude, but also of being equally as oppres- 
sive as themselves. Yet what good did it do for 
August Ferdinand to shake his head and look dis- 
pleased about it ? His attention was attracted to the 
unpleasant state of feeling by short notices in the 
Chronique Scandaleuse ; he very soon conjectured 
from which point the wind blew, and amused, 
looked upon the doings of the young officers without 
raising a protest ; as he considered all interference 
on his part in private affairs as useless. 

Finally in order to bring about a more harmonious 
feeling between the parties his Royal Highness con- 
cluded to appoint, ostensibly as a preference, the 
bearer of a very common name as his own personal 
adjutant. He was perfectly unsuspicious that there- 
by, instead of bringing about the desired result, he 


POLISH BLOOD. 


105 


was only casting the spark into the powder magazine. 

Anna Regina had taken her seat on the corner 
divan in the boudoir ; near her to the left sat the 
Princess Renseck and Xenia ; to the right, Madame 
Leonie and the three most distinguished ladies of the 
regiment — the Countess Tarenberg, a charming little 
blonde, with a piercing voice, much refinement, great 
taste in her toilettes, and chronically jealous of her 
handsome husband. Then the wife of the Captain of 
the Guards, Von Hoftraten, a born Hollander, com- 
fortable and fat, and in spite of all her elegant toil- 
ette, uncouth, and even brusque ; at her side sat the 
Countess Ettesbach, a harmless, saucy, coquettish 
mite of a figure, over whose life Jerome’s motto, 
“ Who cares for the Morrow ! ” might be written in 
gay characters. 

Her Excellency Gartner and the Countess Dynar, 
the only exceptions, were received upon the ex- 
press wish of Anna Regina. They were considered 
by the gallant bearers of the czapa the loveliest flow- 
ers in this garland of roses. Now the little tabourets 
were dexterously smuggled between the divans. 

“Each for his own ! ” said some one, jestingly, and 
as a matter of course each loyal page seated himself 
at the feet of his lady fair, whose train, as gallant 
knight, so to speak, he should bear through the dust 
of the brilliant season. 

Countess Kany, who had escaped from the confine- 
ment of the whist table, leaned over the Countess 
Tarenberg and said she regarded it her duty to inform 
her of a very suspicious circumstance, her husband 
had just won three times on the queen of hearts. 

A general laugh followed her remark, but Leonie, 
exchanging a quick glance with the maid of honor, 
drew her toward a divan in the corner. 

“ You are a very malicious little person, my dear 
Kany ! ” — threatening her jestingly with her fan — “ to 
make the poor Countess Tartenberg’s inferno hotter 
than it really is, because her husband does not court 
you I but ” — changing the subject suddenly — “ who 


106 


POLISH BLOOD. 


is that singing in that heart-rending, love-lorn voice 
about lotus flower? It really makes one uneasy!” 

“ Your protege from the opera, Excellency — let him 
give vent to his sorrow — he is well paid for it.” 

“ You were not asked, mon ami Hechelberg,” said 
Madame Leonie, tapping the Captain of the Guards 
ligntly on tlie arm with her fan — then, rising, “ My 
lords and ladies, I have something new in petto ! ” 

“ Bravo ! bravo ! Her Excellency has the word,” 
was reechoed round and round the circle, and the 
Baroness Hoftraten crossing her arms said with her 
harsh voice in broken German : “ If bepikant, if you 
blease, I like him — ven not I no vant him.” 

Leonie smiled as harmlessly as an angel. “An 
event for our bleak Siberia, mesdames ! Only think, 
the most brilliant light of the times, Apollo, with the 
musical lips, has risen — the genial Proczna will give 
his concerts in the Residence.” Her quick glance 
sought Xenia’s face, who was still entertaining Prince 
Heller-Hiiningen in her own peculiar frosty and delilv 
erate manner. She appeared to take no notice of the 
“event,” and finished calmly her sentence to the end. 

“What! Proczna in Germany ? ” cried the Prin- 
cess Reuseck and the Countess Ettesbach, drawing 
eagerly nearer, while the Countess Kany gave one of 
her sharp little laughs. “ Indeed — so the immortal 
Pole will really buckle on the German money-bags. 
What do you suppose will be the price of tickets ? It 
is even said that two people were crushed to death in 
Vienna because the singer could not make the change 
soon enough.” 

Leonie applauded, and Lieutenant Von Flanders 
fairly bent double with amusement, but Anna Regina, 
looking up with an air of astonishment, said: “But, 
my dear Countess Kany, tlanek Proczna is one of our 
first artists ; he certainly would not sell tickets with 
his own hands ! ” 

“ Mon Bieu^ your Royal Highness, a hare is always 
a hare. In my opinion there is very little difference 
among these people, who stand before the amphi- 


POLISH BLOOD, 


107 


theater for the public amusement, whether in the 
dress suit singing celestial music, or swallowing knives 
or eating fire in the costume of the magician ; the 
hare still remains a hare ! ’’ 

There was something exceedingly malicious in the 
expression of the colorless face of the maid of honor, 
as her malignant eyes turned upon the Countess 
Dynar, who sat opposite to her, as motionless as a 
marble statue. 

“Yes, but the ‘Daily Journal’ says that ‘ Janek 
Proczna ’ is only a pseudonym ! ” exclaimed the 
Countess Ettesbach eagerly, as Anna Regina, with a 
helpless air, was silenced, “and that he is really a 
nobleman.” 

Lieutenant Flanders fanned himself with Madame 
Leonie’s fan. 

“ But, my dear Madame,” with a vein of mockery 
in his tone, “ with all due respect for your naivete, I 
shall do myself the honor of breakfasting with you 
to deliver a discourse on the subject of artists and 
the tricks of their trade.” 

“ Delightful ! ” tittered her Excellency, Madame 
Von Gartner. 

“ Yes, but,” said the Countess Tarenberg, laying 
her finger upon her rosy little mouth and raising her 
eyes languishingly, “ one of my friends heard Proczna 
in Paris, and her letters were filled with inspira- 
tion about him. She says he is perfectly divine — so 
original and so peculiar that all the ladies are fairly 
mad over him. Even the Empress has shown him 
marked distinction, and invited him to Court; and 
the report that his fire is not only kindled, but kept 
burning with the love letters he receives, is really a 
fact. Yes, and les belles Parisiennes have carried the 
thing so far as to besiege and bribe his mai'tre d'h6tel 
for small vials filled from his bath,” 

“ Pfui — teufel ! dat vas von dirty shtory ! ” said 
Mine. Hoftraten, drawing her fist over her mouth in 
the most ungraceful manner. The Princess Reuseck 
gave the signal for general merriment : “ If my hus- 


108 


POLISH BLOOD. 


band, who is playing whist with his Excellency, Von 
Gartner, will deliver up his portemonnaie to me I 
shall start to-morrow morning with the funds and 
procure you, one and all, a historical vial for a Christ- 
mas gift.” 

“ I propose to take the water and soap separate, 
your ladyship,” sighed little Lieutenant Wever von 
Sensfield at her side, “ otherwise it may cost my rival 
his life.” 

“ And I shall accompany you to the Residence ! 
I will cut Proczna’s name out of the programme and 
eat it upon my bread and butter ! ” cried the Countess 
Ettesbach jubilantly, clapping her little plump hands ; 
“ that was the way we did at boarding-school I ” 

And her friend the Countess Von Tarenberg, 
eagerly throwing her fan upon the table, cried. 
“ Heavenly idea ! We will all go together. Up and 
away to Valencia ! ” 

The little eyes of the maid of honor fairly glittered 
with malicious pleasure. “ And are you the only one 
to hate, where all love, my dearest Countess?” said 
she, nodding to Xenia, “ and will you be the only one 
not to go ? ” 

The Countess Xenia seemed to grow. “ Yes,” was 
the short wearied response. 

Madame Leonie let her gaze fall upon her rosy 
finger nails in order to conceal the pleasure in her 
eyes. 

“ I have an idea — a glorious idea,” said she, im- 
pressively turning her slender neck, while the dark 
eyelashes sank like long shadows on her cheeks. 

“ An idea I an idea I a kingdom for an idea ! ! ” 

Her Excellency abruptly raised her head, and her 
quick glance flew like a spark round the small circle, 
and at last remained fixed upon Anna Regina’s great 
wondering eyes. “Well, what say you to H. H. 
Emperor Joseph’s regiment making it one of their im- 
pressive military affairs and inviting Janek Proczna 
to give his concerts here in this Northern Babel for 
their ears alone. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


109 


A storm of applause followed. Prince Heller- 
Hiiningen sprang up as though electrified. “ Music 
is my weak side, but in this affair count me in.” 
The Countess Tarenberg’s round face became red 
with delight, and seizing her neighbor, the Countess 
Ettesbach, she embraced her as the first best object 
she could find to serve as a conductor for her excite- 
ment. 

“ Famous ! ” laughed her Highness, the Princess 
Reuseck, protruding her underlip far over her fat 
double chin, which was an indication of the greatest 
comfort and delight. “ But won’t that torment them 
— the infantry, I mean ? Mon Dieu ! my children, 
there will be a tragedy ! ” 

During all this time Anna Regina was like the 
fifth wheel to a wagon ; it never occurred to a soul 
to feel the least restraint on account of her presence, 
all the less because they were all so entre nous. Only 
the Countess Dynar’s proud glance fell almost re- 
proachfully upon the countenance of her neighbor. 
She suddenly became very pale, and the eyes of the 
Countess Kany never for an instant were turned from 
her face. 

“ Of course we shall claim Proczna entirely for 
ourselves,” continued Madame Leonie in a very 
animated tone; “he is only to sing before our invited 
company, and our dear next neighbors in the mean- 
while will be obliged to do as the little girl with the 
matches, promenade below in the streets and enjoy 
the echoes, which we of course will not begrudge 
them.” 

“ An’ dot eggo and dot vash vatter,” said Madame 
Von Hoftraten, the Hollander, nodding her head 
approvingly, and striking the table with her fan. 

“ Then it is understood that we invite him? We 
will write to him ? — egal what it costs ! ” cried the 
Countess Ettesbach, with the air of an innocent, 
impatient baby, delighted with its Christmas doll. 
Madame Leonie again raised her voice and turned 
directly toward Anna Regina : “ It is understood we 


110 


POLISH BLOOD, 


write immediately, or is it necessary to obtain the 
consent of his Highness, your consort, on account of 
the cost? ” 

“ Nonsense ! heaven forbid ! We can save the little 
sum out of our drink money ! ” was reechoed gaily by 
the officers round the circle, and Prince Hiiningen 
making one of his stupid but charming little faces 
cried : “ But, your Excellency, you certainly must 
concede that it is the cavalry’s duty to place Janek 
Proczna under the Christmas tree for the ladies. 

“ The Ulanen regiment will furnish the singer d 
tout prix!'^ cried Lieutenant Von Flanders, drawing 
his head down between his shoulders. “ What need 
is there for permission from the absent when four 
representatives of the uniform are projecting a little 
joke?” 

“ Perfectly correct, Flanders ! It is all the same, 
whether we journey to Berlin to take breakfast under 
the lindens, or order music in honor of the ladies.” 

“ W ell, then, en avant ! ” Leonie glanced toward 
Xenia, who, almost breathless, had followed the con- 
versation, and who in vain endeavored to control her 
trembling lips and appear indifferent. 

“ The child must have a name, and therefore I 
propose that the ladies of the regiment send an invi- 
tation to Proczna, in order that he, as cavalier, will 
be forced to accept, and your Highness will be so 
gracious as to place your illustrious name at the head 
of the list ! ” 

The tone of her Excellency’s voice though polite, 
sounded more like a sugar-candied imperative than a 
solicitation. 

Anna Regina looked positively frightened. 

“ But, my dear Excellency, I cannot — impossible 
— only consider what my husband would say. I en- 
gage a singer? ” 

“ Do not be uneasy, your Highness. I shall take 
all the blame upon myself, and completely appease 
his Majesty,” said Madame Von Gartner, smiling 
slightly ironically. “ ‘ W hat a woman wills God 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Ill 


wills,’ say the French, and therefore your Highness 
will permit me to bring pen and paper.” 

“ No. August Ferdinand will by no means con- 
sent,” continued the Princess, with some show of 
spirit. “It will be the cause for further talk and 
increase the ill-will already existing in society.” 

Sharp lines began to form about Leonie’s mouth. 

She exchanged a rapid glance with the Countess 
Kany, then bowing her head behind her fan she 
whispered in Anna Regina’s ear, “ Thank your Heav- 
enly Father, your Highness, that people and partic- 
ularly August Ferdinand, will have a new and 
harmless theme in which to interest themselves. Do 
you not understand that the whole affair was brought 
by me upon the scene for a very urgent reason? 
When we are alone 1 have several apprehensions to 
communicate to you ! ” The soft words sounded like 
the hissing of a viper behind the painted satin fan. 
Then dropping her fan, Leonie laughed softly, and 
turning her pretty little head gracefully to one side, 
said very audibly. “ Well, your Highness, with your 
permission may I write ? ” 

A chill seemed suddenly to benumb the delicate 
figure of the Princess. Making a convulsive effort to 
laugh, she cried with a nervous movement of the head, 
“ Mon Dieu., then, you naughty little temptress, do 
as you wish, and head the list with the name of Anna 
Regina ; but take the responsibility also. I wash my 
hands in innocence of the whole affair.” 

Many of those present exchanged rapid and mean- 
ing glances. Lieutenant Von Flanders murmured, 
half loud : “ Chicanery ! ” and Leonie, with her 

subtile smile, rose hastily to arrange paper upon her 
writing desk. 

“Who will write ? ” 

“ Always the one who asks the question,” was the 
laughing and ready response, and her Excellency 
Von Gartner motioned the Countess Kany to her 
side, and in very fine and cramped letters wrote an 
invitation full of flattering phrases to the darling of 


112 


POLISH BLOOD. 


the Muses — the immortal Janek Proczna. Then she 
read the contents, which were received with stormy 
applause. 

“ Well, please sign ! Your Highness will perhaps 
prefer to write with your own hand ? ” 

Without waiting for further reply Leonie pressed 
pen and paper toward the princess. The hand of the 
high-born lady tremblingly seized the golden holder, 
from whose upper end a Cupid’s head seemed mali- 
ciously to deride her ; then, with an effort, she wrote 
her name in small, somewhat cramped letters. 

The Princess Reuseck then, with many flourishes 
and a lavish waste of ink, placed her name under that 
of her Highness, and pushing the paper toward the 
Countess Tarenberg, said laughingly : 

“ Those two ladies are in a feverish paroxysm of 
impatience.” And laying her plump hands comfort- 
ably upon the table she continued, banteringly : “ My 
dear Ettesbach, draw a heart under your name. In 
heaven’s name let him know immediately the name of 
the lady who is willing to eat the very name of 
Proczna with her bread and butter.” 

“ Ma chere., not a word ! Be sure to provide a suffi- 
cient number of empty vials, in order that you will 
later have no need ! So, voila — please, my dear Kany, 
last, not least.” 

The maid of honer gazed around her, and her sharp 
glare struck Xenia’s deathly pale face, like a poniard 
stab. 

“ You are right, last not least ! ” said she, smiling. 
“I would prefer, however^ to be the last after Coun- 
tess Dynar. Janek Proczna shall have the pleasure 
of seeing star after star ranged one after the other, 
with no insignificant little luminary between them ! 
So, my dear Countess, without further objection, your 
name.” 

Xenia raised her beautiful head ; not a fiber of the 
pale face quivered. “ I most earnestly beg that you 
will excuse me from this formality, my dear Countess,” 
she replied coldly ; “ the list is already so rich with 


POLISH BLOOD, 


113 


distinguished names, that you can very easily dispense 
with mine.” 

For a moment the tone struck all present with some- 
thing akin to consternation. Then every voice rose 
in stormy opposition. 

“ You want to secede ! You want to spoil the play. 
The very powers above shall not aid you, Countess. 
Your name ! Your name! Write !” 

Leonie gazed around her like the angel of in- 
nocence. 

“ But, my dearest Xenia,” she asked, astonished, 
‘‘have you anything against the god-like Proczna 
that you refuse your homage in this pronounced 
manner ? ” 

“ Not in the least. I have the greatest respect for 
his art.” 

A sweet, mysterious grin distorted the Countess 
Kany’s face. “ Ah, ha ! ma petite mignonne ; you 
spent last autumn in Paris, and probably have already 
made the acquaintance of the immortal artist, and 
now you want to make your heart a sepulcher.” 

As though electrified, they all drew nearer. Xenia 
pressed her teeth tightly together, and sent a light- 
ning glance at the maid of honor. 

“No, I do not know Janek Proczna,” she answered 
trembling with wounded pride, and scarcely conscious 
of what she said, while great black shadows seemed 
toroll up before her eyes. “I considered my signature 
superfluous, for the simple reason that it has been 
for some time my intention to accompany a friend to 
the South, and of course I should be absent during 
Proczna’s visit among you.” 

Xenia seized the pen with a firm hand. “ And do 
you still, under these conditions, desire my signature ? ” 

“ Of course, my dear,” giggled the Countess Kany. 
Femme vraiS,, says the proverb, and your trunks are 
still unpacked.” 

“ And unless heaven so wills it, they will not be ; 
do not forsake me, Xenia,” said Anna Regina, laying 
her small hand upon the paper. 

8 


114 


POLISH BLOOD. 


In a large, firm hand the Countess wrote her name 
under the invitation to Janek Proczna. Not a 
human being could read in the stony countenance 
that every letter was a stab to her tortured heart, 
and a blow to her pride. 

But Madame Leonie and her friend, the Countess 
Kany, exchanged a glance, as triumphant and vic- 
torious, as scintillating and venomous as the arrow- 
heads with which Beelzebub heated his hell. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Some distance from the city, in one of the newer 
and most fashionable suburbs, lay the winter palace 
of the Countess Dynar. From out the grove of dark 
pines rose the imposing walls of polished marble, 
which, glittering and cold, seemed to breathe as 
frostily upon the gazer as the proud countenance of 
its young mistress, who had surrounded herself with 
this frozen splendor. In the great vestibule there 
were the rarest exotic plants, some of which towered 
to its very dome, but they were only the blossomless 
palms, ferns, dark * laurels and cedars, dark and 
solemn as the bronze statues about which they cast 
their branches. 

From the massive golden cornices fell the portieres 
in weighty folds stiffly to the ground , the pictures 
on the walls seemed on parade, every work of art, 
each of genuine quality, every article of furniture 
stood with the most painful exactness in its place 
upon the polished mosaic floor. At the entrance a 
faint breath of perfume met the visitor like an 
aristocratic smile, and although there was a fire upon 
the hearth, and temperate heat pervaded the house, 
yet the frost seemed over all. 

The apartments of the ground-floor were occupied 
by the Lord Chamberlain Von Drach, with his 
family, while the Countess Dynar established herself 


POLISH BLOOD. 


115 


in the second story. The widow of General Von 
Godlaw figured as dame d^honneur ; for although 
Xenia regarded herself as a member of her guardian’s 
family, yet she maintained an independent existence, 
gave balls and arranged entertainments, at which she, 
at the side of the General’s widow, represented the 
name of Dynar. It was a cold, stormy November day. 
The wind whipped the first snowflakes against the 
great plate-glass window-panes, which from the bou- 
doir of the Countess afforded an open view over the 
rustling tree-tops of the park. 

Large and roomy was the apartment, and very 
different from most elegant ladies’ cosy boudoirs, 
with their subdued, mysterious lights, triple carpets 
deadening the sound, and the roseate-tinted lamps 
suspended from the ceiling, lending their glow to 
every object. Xenia loved clear, penetrating light, 
air and plenty of room about her; and for this reason 
were the Persian silken portieres draped only to 
frame the lofty windows, always drawn back from 
the great carved doors. The silken cushions lay 
only for form’s sake upon the high-backed chairs and 
sofas, in their severe dignity gave one the impression 
of the grand carved chairs of a church. 

The design of highly polished mosaic floor was 
visible the whole length of the great apartment, with 
the exception of the space under the great writing- 
desk, where lay the yellow hide of a lion, whose head 
and flowing mane served as a foot-stool. There was 
no sign of bric-a-brac, articles of vertu, no graceful 
amorettes coquetted with one another on golden 
cornices, or tender inseparables clinging affectionately 
to one another on the walls in the “work-room” of 
the Countess Dynar. 

Rising almost to the ceiling were great bookshelves, 
upon which lay heavy scientific volumes, globes, maps, 
strange weapons, valuable pieces of disentombed 
classical statuary. It was very seldom that a stran- 
ger’s eye gazed into this exceedingly original “home” 
of Xenia’s. One day Prince Donat Hiiningen 


116 


POLISH BLOOD. 


stepped over the threshold, and then he said his very 
limbs seemed momentarily paralyzed. 

“ May the Lord have mercy upon me, miserable 
sinner ! but have you not a death’s head somewhere 
and an electrical machine behind that green curtain. 
Professor Xenia ? Leeches in alcohol you have, I 
see ” — and at which he described a circle about a 
rose from Jericho, which the Countess had brought 
back with her from a journey to the Orient and pre- 
served in a Phoenician glass urn. 

The next day the young Prince received a long 
scientific thesis upon these two subjects. A second 
time he risked invading the work-room ” of the 
Countess, and expressed himself in the highest degree 
astonished at the singular form of a “lump of 
marble.” 

“ That a lump ? Indeed, it is a torso of Hercules, 
which I had reproduced at great cost and much 
trouble in Rome,” said Xenia, in a reproachful tone, 
instructing him. 

“The torso of Hercules?” and Donat’s eyes grew 
round and big. “It must have been very badly 
packed for the journey, for the poor man has neither 
head nor legs. Eh?” 

The Countess Dynar stared with astonishment up 
into the handsome face of the speaker. “ But, cousin, 
I just told you that was the torso of Hercules, and 
was without limbs when I bought it.” 

It was now Hiiningen’s turn to look reproachfully 
at her. 

“And this ugly, shattered old piece of rubbish 
cost you much money and trouble I Do not be 
offended, my dear little cousin, but you were most 
infamously deceived. That’s just what I say to all 
these timid ladies. Why didn’t you open your eyes 
and look around to find a torso with the usual number 
of healthy looking limbs? But such a ruined old 
thing as this is not fit to be put up in any respect- 
able room.” 

Xenia wrung her hands in despair and the next 


POLISH BLOOD. 


117 


day Prince Heller-Huningen received Winkelman’s 
Researches and Discussions on the Torso of 
Hercules.” 

“ Oh ! these classical bowlders ! ” he groaned. 

“ The history of art and sculpture always was mj 
‘ weak side.’ ” 

After that time “ten horses” could not have 
dragged him over the threshold of this “ bedeviled 
study,” which he ever afterward regarded as one of 
his particular enemies. 

It happened regularly, after every calamity which 
brought the “weak side” of the young officer to 
light, that Xenia leaned her little head upon her hand 
and with darkened brow stared before her as these 
thoughts presented themselves to her. This man was 
to be her guide through life, her support, her pride, 
her lord and master — incomprehensible thought ! 

Donat was a dear, good-hearted soul that one liked 
as a child, whose curly locks and brow one liked to 
stroke with a friendly hand. She knew, also, how 
truly devoted he was to her, how spotless his 
escutcheon. 

Then it was so perfectly natural that he should 
pay court to her, that their names should harmo- 
niously blend, and the last of the Dynars extinguish 
her race in the light of a prince’s crown; then could 
the Countess Dynar descend into the sepulcher of 
her ancestors, and with uplifted head step from 
sarcophagus to sarcophagus and announce to the 
quiet sleepers below, “ Rest in peace ! Your escutch- 
eon lies unstained above your heads ; your name has 
become extinct, but, like a star that sinks gloriously 
into the golden sea of the sun, it has but blended its 
light with a power of greater splendor. Yes, so 
would the last of her race be able to speak, but she 
at the same time would press her hand upon her 
heart and secretly sigh, “ Ask not the price I paid to 
preserve the honor of my ancestors.” 

Yet, how could she love a man whom she neither 
admired nor respected ? Donat’s superficial educa 


118 


POLISH BLOOD. 


tion, his many, “many weak sides ” were like poisoned 
drops, which daily embittered her cup of life and 
tormented her with shame and disappointment. A 
thousand other women would have laughed and 
practiced a little indulgence, but Xenia’s cold and 
prudish character, her gifted mind, were not able to 
endure the thought that the man who was to be her 
lord and master should intellectually be her inferior. 

It seemed as though Donat alienated himself from 
her interest from day to day, and now, as she thought, 
it seemed as though all the little white snowflakes 
whirling in the air were sinking on her heart to build 
an icy dividing wall between it and the young officer. 

Nevertheless, she forced herself to think of Prince 
Hiiningen as her future husband, although she never 
encouraged his wooing a hair’s breadth. On the con- 
trary, Donat’s timid irresolute nature gave her con- 
tinually opportunities to delay a definitive declara- 
tion — a reprieve ! 

Why was the thought of binding herself really so 
fearful ? Countess Xenia lived only for pride and 
honor, why then could she not resolve to pay the un- 
avoidable tribute? At the thought a cold shudder 
seemed to creep through her heart — Through her 
heart? Never had the Countess been conscious of a 
heart. For two years she had been the reigning 
beauty of the court circle. The jeunesse dorSe had 
emptied its horn of plenty at her feet ; wealth, honor, 
beauty had courted her favor, and yet had her heart 
never beaten once the faster, and yet not one joyful 
thrill, no't once love’s timid fear, had crept into it, 
but cold and still as death was all within that sanct- 
uary. No, the Countess Dynar had no heart. 

And yet . . . once . . . once a man had stood before 
her, tall, bold, gallant and proud — yes, much prouder 
than herself — who had not sued for her favor, but 
had cast her, together with her gold and nine-pearled 
crown, contemptuously from him ; and when he 
turned his back upon her it seemed as though a 
cry rang through her soul and a sharp pain pierced 


POLISH BLOOD. 


119 


her breast. Was that her heart ? No, that was her 
pride — her wounded, insulted pride. Shame and dis- 
grace had cut it like a two-edged sword, and yet that 
man was the only one in all the world to wliom the 
Countess Dynar had been compelled to raise her 
eyes, and before whose flashing gaze her head had 
sunk, as before a criminal. No, she had no heart. 

And yet it seemed to her like a dream — like a 
picture slowly rising out of the mist of a dissolving 
view that, phantom-like, unrolls itself before her 
mental vision. The wind-storm roars around the 
windows of Proczna, the fire glows and crackles upon 
the hearth, the bright sparks dance, and on the wall 
ticks the clock as in sleep. Two little heads bent 
together over a book of fairy tales. The story is 
about Hansel and Gretchen, who love each other 
very, very much — and presently the golden blonde 
little girl throws both arms round her brother’s neck 
and passionately holds him tighter and tighter. 
“ Oh, I love you so much, Janek — so very, very 
much,” she whispers in his ear, and then she kisses 
him in the mouth, and then leans her little head 
against his. Yes, and a something like sweet, 
pleasant sunshine seemed to warm her veins — and 
suddenly a heart pulsed and beat exultingly in her 

breast ! but that was long ago — very long ago — 

and almost forgotten ! 

The wind beat the snowflakes against the window- 
panes, and still Countess Dynar stood by the window 
of her sitting-room and gazed out at the snow’s mad 
frolic, that went storming and dancing by. Her 
eyes looked worn and wearied from loss of sleep, and 
the dark silk and lace dress made her countenance 
appear all the paler. 

Three days and nights of torture lay behind her ; 
she had suffered and battled ; had pressed her hands 
to her aching temples and brow and yet no tears had 
helped her lament her fate ! Yes, a fate! For others 
it made deep, and cruel wounds in heart and soul, 
but it whipped the proud spirit of the Countess 


120 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Dynar with a lash of thorns in the dust. Others 
could confide with tears their sorrow to God and the 
world, but she must bury hers deep and hidden in 
her breast — must press her lips together and clinch 
her hands in desperation, powerless to seize and con- 
trol the phantom, which scoffingly sullied the mirror 
of her shield and honor, and broke pearl from pearl 
from her crown ! 

Like a curse the name “ Janek Proczna ” followed 
her even into her most secret dreams. Like a curse 
he fixed himself to her destiny, and cast a shadow in 
the sunlight of her happiness. Her proud soul had 
constantly trembled lest her carefully guarded secret 
might be discovered, and her name publicly dis- 
graced ; lest that singer — that deeply degraded man, 
who had placed himself upon the public stage as a 
mark for society’s critics for money — would at last 
tear off his mask and appear in his own name ; and 
then — then would her name by the side of his appear 
in the columns of all the public journals as sister of 
the singer. 

Full of feverish excitement had Xenia, for two 
long years, watched this brilliant star in the firma- 
ment of art, which, like a huge avalanche, grows 
more gigantic and threatens destruction as it onward 
rolls ! She had clenched her hands in the desper- 
ation of hate against him, and, nevertheless, invol- 
untarily admired his triumph. 

It never occurred to her for a moment that he 
would betray his incognito himself in order to avail 
himself of — the Dynar title and wealth. 

The man who had once stood so proud and fearless 
before her, who endured no fetters and possessed the 
force and the courage to battle for existence with 
empty hands, would keep his word even from defi- 
ance and obstinacy. 

Xenia bit her lip at the thought. Nothing was 
more objectionable to her than independence in people 
who had no right to opinions. This Pole — this 
foundling — dared to defy her ; dared to follow his 


POLISH BLOOD. 121 

own course, and cast all her plans and calculations to 
the wind, witli the word “ Janek Proczna ! ” 

How freely she had breathed when the despised 
one had placed a half a world between him and her 
in order to begin his “ trade,” in France and Italy. 
The only thought that consoled her at all was that he 
was far away, and would remain so, and she avoided 
contemptuously the cities where she knew triumphal 
arches had been erected to the “ god-like.” Not 
even once did she wish to convince herself of his 
mastery of his art, for she knew that her blood in 
shame would dye her cheeks to see the one she had 
once held dear and called brother, a paid singer 
upon a public stage. And now a singular and un- 
lioly fatality had forced the pen in her hand to call 
him to her side — him, for whom heaven and earth had 
not been great enough to form a dividing wall which 
should roll between him and her. 

A cry of anguish forced itself from Xenia’s lips. 
She leaned her forehead against the cool window- 
pane and with burning eyes stared out into the snow- 
storm. “ Will he come?” Then would she remain 
no longer, but would flee out into the wide world to 
escape the pain and the shame I 

To-day his answer would arrive — ^to-day would de- 
cide whether her trunks were to be packed — ^whether 
he would yield, or she. “ He yield ! ” and a mocking 
cry seemed to come from out the rustling tree-tops 
in answer to her thoughts, and the snowflakes rolled 
and danced and whirled like so many little hobgob- 
lins before her. 

Whether he would decline out of defiance because 
she called him ? Well, that was natural enough. 
Janek Proczna is accustomed to see women beg for 
his favors, and the firm handwriting of the Countess 
Dynar was as cold and defiant as a command. What 
should draw him here ? He was flattered there as 
well as here, and Princes’ favors flattered him where- 
ever he went. And the Countess Xenia? What to 
him, indeed, was this wilful blonde, who had always 
so bitterly opposed him and battled with him ? 


122 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Footsteps creaked upon the marble floor behind 
her, and for the first time in her life the Countess 
Dynar shrank with fear and became pale, as she 
turned her head. A servant presented a letter upon 
a silver salver, and announced that the groom of her 
Excellency, Von Gartner, waited below for an an- 
swer. 

“ Very well, I shall ring.’' There was an unwonted 
sound in the voice of the Countess, as she motioned 
impatiently to the servant and stepped to her writ- 
ing-desk, her silken train sweeping like a dark shadow 
over the floor behind her. 

Xenia felt her fingers tremble, and almost angrily 
she forced herself to be calm. 

A letter written upon ordinary white paper fell 
from its envelope into her hand. She unfolded it 
and gazed down upon it. At first the letters swam 
confusedly before her eyes, like the snowfiakes out 
of doors ; then they reappeared clearer and clearer, 
and formed themselves at last into a firm, elegant 
style of handwriting. 

“ Janek Proczna ! ” — There stood the name as 
calm and indifferent in appearance as any other name, 
and yet it seemed to pass like a stream of fire through 
the veins of the reader. 

Her Excellency Madame Gartner had phrased her 
letter in the most elegant French. Janek Proczna 
answered in German, short, polite, and with a slight 
touch of humor. He would come, not as the guest 
of his Royal Highness and the regiment, but as one 
most willing to place his throat at the service of the 
charming ladios of the private circle who had under- 
signed the invitation. 

Motionless, Xenia stared down upon the lines. 

Only in the private circle — ^but once only to sing, 
and then to go. What else could he have in his 
mind ! Why did he write in German ? Could French 
be his “ weak side ? ” Impossible ; he had lived 
more than a year in Paris. He did it to show Her 
Excellency that he considered German sufficiently 


POLISH BLOOD. 


123 


good to correspond with her ! And because he did 
not wish to be under obligation to appear any partic- 
ular place he declined the invitation, and turning 
the lance, invited the ladies to be the guests of his 
art. 

Xenia buried her white teeth into her lips. And 
she should desert the field for such a presuming 
creature ? How he would laugh were he to find one 
of the undersigned ladies missing, whose motive for 
flight would be known to him ; and how his vanity 
would triumph. 

“ He does not, indeed, come of his own accord ; he 
only obeys my call, and does not for a moment hesi- 
tate to appear before me as the singer Proczna, and 
shall Xenia Dynar cowardly run away from him ? 
He would celebrate his triumph before my eyes, and 
experience the satisfaction of seeing the proud creat- 
ure lift her hands to applaud the despised inter- 
loper I ” Xenia drew herself up to her full height. 
She shook her slender clenched hand over the letter, 
and her lips trembled convulsively with the scorn she 
felt. “ Come, then, Janek Proczna ! and though your 
fame bear you as high as the stars in heaven, shall 
my eyes gaze over and beyond you.” 

Then inclosing the letter in its envelope, she di- 
rected it to the Countess Kany. The silvery sound 
of the bell called the servant. Without saying a 
word she handed him the letter and turned again 
toward the window. 

But a few moments before she had resolved, in the 
event of the Pole’s acceptance of the invitation, to 
prepare her trunks for travel, and now the accept- 
ance had arrived, and the Countess Xenia turned 
with indifference to the window and forgot the order. 
At that moment she was probabh' thinking of other 
matters, and was absent minded and ill-humored. — 
Like a host of perplexing thoughts wlniied and 
danced the snowflakes through the air. 

The equipage of Her Excellency Madame Von 
Gartner drew up before the second portal of the 


124 


IBOLISH BLOOD. 


Government House, which since the arrival of the 
princely pair was known throughout the city as the 
palace. A lackey made his appearance and hastened 
to open the carriage-door ; then, with a low bow he 
followed the beautiful woman into the columned 
vestibule. 

“ The Countess Kany ! ” commanded the little 
mouth, and the servant in gold-laced uniform mo- 
tioned to a valet-de-chambre and repeated with ser- 
vile readiness, in a whisper, “ Her Excellency will 
see the Countess Kany.” 

Up the softly-carpeted stairway, through number- 
less cross and diagonal passages, then again over 
several thresholds until they found themselves at 
last standing before a low, carved door, in which the 
visiting cards of the maid of honor were fastened. 

The servant tapped on the door, at the same time 
throwing it ©pen in order to let Madame Von Gart- 
ner enter, while from the other side of the comfort- 
able little salon appeared 2k femme de chamhre who, 
at the sight of her Excellency, disappeared into the 
sleeping-room to announce her presence. 

“ Please, my dear, come in here and see me ! ” 
piped the voice of the elderly Miss, and Madame 
Leonie, passing by a satin robe spread out upon the 
sofa, intended for a dinner toilet, hurriedly obeyed 
the call. 

With the usual charming amiability, “ Do not let 
me disturb you, ‘ Oherie ’ it is very unkind of me 
to disturb you thus over your morning chocolate, but 
matters of the greatest importance — vous comprenezf' 
— She bent over the sofa near the great canopied bed- 
stead on which the Countess Kany in a loose negligS 
jacket sat at breakfast, and kissed her on the 
brow just below the band confining the hair-pins that 
crimped her hair. 

“ Take a seat, take a seat,” urged the Countess, 
nibbling a biscuit. “ With your kind permission, I 
shall continue my breakfast, for I overslept myself. — 
Give me my morning-cap from the toilet-table, Bertha. 
There ; now leave me alone, child.” 


JPOLISn BLOOD. 


125 


Bertha succeeded in placing the ribboned head- 
dress successfully over the somewhat bald head of 
her mistress, and then tripped nimbly and modestly 
into the adjoining room. 

“You come on Proczna’s account? Is he here?” 

The young wife of the old Chancellor, visibly 
agitated, threw her muff upon a chair near by and 
nodded hastily to the speaker : “ Just arrived, and, 
oh, I assure you, my dear friend, he is really an ideal 
being. Eyes — I tell you such eyes ! ” — and Leonie, 
carried away with enthusiasm, threw a kiss with her 
finger tips into the air — “ and such a form ! well ! I 
can tell you nothing more. You must see him your- 
self, for description is simply mockery. Lieutenant 
Von Flanders is no Lilliputian, but by the side of 
Proczna he looks as though he had fallen from his 
vest pocket. And then such an exquisite appearance. 
I assure you, mon ange., though only in attire as a 
traveling civilian — long mantel, turned-up fur cap 
and perfectly nonchalant — ^he is so truly distinguished 
looking ! ” 

The Countess Kany ate with such eagerness that 
she only restrained herself now and then to give a 
low murmur of approval, but her eyes fairly snapped 
over her cup of chocolate, and as Madame Leonie 
ceased a moment to take a long breath she asked 
finally, with her mouth full. 

“ Well, and you say he is good-looking. I’m glad ! 
and Flanders went after him ? ” 

“ Flanders and Meyer von Sensfield ! ” continued 
Leonie eagerly. “ And it cost me many an effort 
before I could cast my lines in the right places, for 
petty jealousy had already begun to show itself. Of 
course the little Baron Yon Meyer was dumb with 
indignation when he learned that his Lordship was 
expected to receive a singer ; but when I whispered 
a word or two in his ear alDout an adopted son and 
guard of the Cuirassier regiment, I brought about a 
eTiangemerd des decorations., and he was mine, heart 
and soul. Of course Flanders had ordered his own 


126 


POLISH BLOOD. 


equipage to drive the ‘ divine creature ’ to his hotel, 
but — ^imagine anything more original if you can — 
Proczna had scarcely stepped upon the platform and 
greeted the gentlemen, than with a motion of the 
hand a servant appeared and lo, a princely fonr-in« 
hand with two grooms, and of course in the latest 
Parisian style, came thundering along. Proczna, 
mounted on his seat, seized the lines, and, as though 
on wings of the storm-wind, drove the gentlemen 
into the city. What do you think of that, Melanie ? 
Here this delightful creature brings his own equipage 
and comports himself with the indifference and royal 
bearing of the Bey of Tunis, who simply claps his 
hands, and sees the object of his wishes before him.” 

“ Marvelous ! and he made a good impression ” — 
said the maid of honor, interrupting herself, while 
she crumbled some cake in a fresh cup — “ but how 
in the world did you get all this news in detail ? ” 

Her Excellency gave one of her little low laughs, 
and drew the rose-tinted veil a little lower off the tip 
of her nose. “ Do not betray me, nor look upon me 
as a curious weasel if I confess to you ! But — vous 
comprenez — I have long been intensely interested in 
the much-spoken-of man, and wanted to see him be- 
fore I met him in society. One does it with more 
assurance, you know — and I never wish to change 
my manner to people. I have satisfied my own in- 
terest, and can now view the situation with a clear 
eye. Well ; now for particulars. I gave orders to 
have my equipage stop directly in front of the depot 
stairway. On the arrival of the train, I left the car- 
riage under the pretense of putting a letter in the box, 
and took advantage of the crowd to stop and observe 
Proczna’s meeting with the gentlemen ; then I fled 
back to my carriage and viewed the hero as he de- 
scended the stairway. Of course Flanders had been 
instructed to detain him for a few minutes before my 
carriage. It was well arranged, for while he gave 
orders for his equipage, which must have been sent 
in the advance train and harnessed afterward, I had 


POLISH BLOOD. 


127 


fully two minutes to look at him before he mounted.” 

“Time enough it seems to be inspired by him.” 
An expression of the deepest cunning lay upon the 
homely features of the maid of honor, while her 
sharp little eyes blinked at the speaker. 

It was a fact. Her Excellency seemed to have 
been inspired by him in the highest degree, and 
the brilliancy of her eyes and the bright flush on her 
cheeks were the indiscreet traitors. 

“ And Janek Proczna is really here ?” she giggled, 
“and the beautiful Xenia has not deserted the field, 
but has in defiance even accepted your invitation for 
to-morrow evening. Now, the tiling for us to do is 
to tear off the incognito, which, as you say, is the coat 
of mail that protects her pride.” 

A singular change of expression passed over 
Leonie’s face. “ Indeed ! Are you sure that the 
‘Yellow Snowball’ will appear to-morrow evening? 
I have every reason to believe that we will receive a 
letter from the Countess, complaining of a serious 
headache, which, of course, will prevent her appear- 
ing.” 

“ Oh, that would, indeed, be provoking.” 

Madame Von Gartner laughed like the wicked 
queen in the fairy tale. “ That is my opinion also. 
So I have thought of a plan by which we can play 
the r61e of a pravenire. It may be a very bitter pill 
for the Countess Dynar to receive the disowned 
brother in her own house and at her own call also, 
but, nevertheless, she will be obliged to swallow it 
unasked. That is the object of my visit. The musi- 
cal soiree will not take place at my house to-morrow 
evening, but at the residence of Janek Proczna’s 
beautiful sister.” 

The Countess Kany sprang from her seat as though 
she had seen a ghost. “ You are jesting, my dear.” 

“ By no means. Listen to my plan. I have come 
to you in sheer desparation to inform you that the 
leading gas pipe of my house has been found defect- 
ive, and a penetrating odor fills nearly every apart- 


128 


POLISH BLOOD. 


merit in the house, in consequence of which it will be 
impossible to light up the house for several days. 
Of course, I am beside myself. I therefore turn to 
her Highness to relieve me from my embarrassment, 
which she can do by transferring the entertainment 
to another house. I shall further beseech her High- 
ness to insist upon the Countess Dynar’s palace, as 
it is best suited for it.” 

“ And the Princess is to do this ? ” 

“ Certainly.” 

“ Xenia will of course offer a thousand excuses ; 
therefore must the request be sent to her in the form 
of sugared imperative.” 

“But will Anna Regina do such a thing?” 

Leonie raised her head. “I shall see that she 
does. So please hasten with your toilet, and obtain 
an audience for me. In the meanwhile I shall write 
to Xenia, and after my appeal to her Highness, offer 
her, free of expense, the buffet under direction of 
the Court cook, and further, shall see that two of my 
servants change the invitations of the regiment.” 

The maid of honor almost broke the bell-cord. 
“ A famous — a glorious idea ! I shall dress as soon 
as possible, and place all the power I possess at your 
service to put this magnificent plan in execution ! 
But why should 1 announce you ? What need of so 
much formality ? Why not simply ask t\iQ femme de 
chambre to inquire of her Highness whether the Queen 
of Sheba can pay her respects to the Princess Anna 
Regina. It is a matter of great importance ! — Bertha, 
run quickly to the left wing and ask Madame Godet 
whether her Royal Highness has finished her toilet 
and begun her music lesson. But quick — speed 
thee ; we must have an answer immediately.” 

At the close of an hour the equipage of Madame 
Von Gartner rolled through the castle court-yard. 
The servant in the coachman’s seat held two lettem 
in his hand, which he was to deliver to Countess 
Dynar in the Villa Florian. 

Madame Leonie leaned back upon the white satin 


POLISH BLOOD. 


129 


cushions with an expression of perfect satisfaction. 
She had the nature of a storm-bird ; the higher the 
billows rose and tossed, the wilder the wind beat and 
roared, the more joyfully she threw herself into its 
dismal terrors ; now dipping her pinions into the 
foam and surging breakers below, now spreading them 
in triumph over them ; now screaming in wild mock- 
ery when a proud bark lured by the cliffs was dashed 
to pieces and irretrievably lost. Storm-bird ! — Dan- 
ger and the tempestuous waves of the sea of life were 
her element 1 


CHAPTER IX. 

Through the wide hall of the Villa Florian 
clinked the spurs and saber of Prince Heller-Hiinin- 
gen, who, with fur cap drawn low over his brow, 
flushed countenance, and a bouquet of May blossoms 
in his hand, had just entered, and announced that he 
wished to see the Countess Dynar on important 
business. 

He had thrown open his overcoat, and was pacing 
impatiently up and down the marble floor, whistling 
a popular air. 

Presently a door near by was thrown hastily open, 
and a charming little sixteen-year-old maiden, very 
much excited stepped over the threshold still talk- 
ing to some one behind her. 

“You rude, foolish fellow, I wish to be excused 
from anything of the kind. I have not laid a finger 
on your lead soldiers, and besides I do not play with 
dolls any more ; as I have told you a thousand times 
I am no longer a child, and am therefore no playmate 
for you,” — and at that Miss Beatrice Von Drach, with 
an air of the greatest indignation, closed the door be- 
hind her with a bang. 

“ Oh ! good day, my angry little one ; please do 
uot crush me to death under your little feet.” 

9 


130 


POLISH BLOOD. 


As though paralyzed Beatrice stood for a moment 
with waves of rich red spreading themselves over her 
little face, while her hands with the ermine muff 
sank powerless at her side. 

“ Ah . . . Cousin Donat ... I did not see you 
at all,” she stammered in the greatest confusion. “ I 
... I” . . . 

“ Yes, you were in a very bad humor,” laughed the 
young officer, amused, “ and the door here is closed 
for good! . . . How are you getting along with 
your confirmation lesson ? ” 

The brown eyes flashed indignation at him. “ I 
have been confirmed — it is more than a year ago ! It 
is enough to make one rebel to be asked such a ques- 
tion.” 

The young lady looked so angry that Hiiningen 
shrank away from her. “ Ah, yes, you are right. I 
always forget it, Bicky. I beg a thousand times 
pardon — but that is because we so seldom see you, 
and then — Zounds I but what a beautiful braid ! 
You must play horse with your brother very often 
with it.” 

Donat waved the shining brown braids which were 
bound by a red ribbon and hung over the little miss’s 
shoulder. 

With a flashing glance Beatrice tore the braid from 
his fingers, and stamped angrily upon the floor. “ I 
do not play horse any more — I am no longer a child, 
and if you torment me any more about my baby braid 
ril scratch your eyes out! You understand?” 

“Ye powers ! Sauve qui pent ! I have ruined 
myself fearfully in your estimation, my little Noli- 
we-tangere ! and yet I only mean well by you. Have 
I not addressed you most respectfully ? ” 

Tears of agitation flashed in the beautiful eyes of 
the little creature. I am seventeen years old, and 
Bicky placed her little foot upon the ground, and, as 
though prepared for the conflict, came a step nearer. 

“ Great heavens ! how young ! ” Donat clasped his 
hands together in amusement ; “ then you should, by 


POLISH BLOOD. 


131 


all means, be still in school, and in short dresses.” 

The young Prince’s malice went no farther, for 
the ermine muff flew in his face, and Bicky’s angry 
laugh of derision after it. 

“ Revenge ! revenge ! For this insult you shall be 
imprisoned in a dark room,” laughed the young offi- 
cer, holding the satin-lined bomb tormentingly before 
her. “ Beg my pardon or I shall take this squirrel 
skin with me for good.” 

“ It is ermine fur ! ” cried Beatrice, half contempt- 
uously, half angrily ; “ give it to me this moment, or 
my skates will fly after it.” 

“ What ! No ; I thank you ; they are not wadded,” 
said Donat, with a terrified grimace, and at that mo- 
ment the servant appeared upon the stairway with 
the words, “ The Countess will receive your Highness 
now.” So with his usual kindly expression of coun- 
tenance he handed her the muff, and at the same 
time extended his hand. 

“ A truce, Bicky. I am fully aware of my sinful- 
ness, and now beg for absolution ! ” 

Beatrice pressed her lips tightly together. “ No ! 
You are detestable.” 

“ Yes, but for the last time. Just one little shake 
of the hand.” 

“ Babies shake hands.” 

“Well, then, I beg for the high honor of pressing 
your maidenly seventeen-year-old hand to my lips.” 
And Donat, quickly seizing the young lady’s right, 
which hung at her side, pressed it gallantly to his 
lips. He did not notice how it trembled. 

A sweet, charming confusion shone on her rosy 
countenance, which almost breathlessly gazed up into 
his handsome face. 

But Donat clinked his spurs together, and, with a 
roguish mien, seized her braid before she was aware 
of it and handled it again like a rein, then with a 
bound he sprang up the stairway and was out of 
sight. 

The smiling face under the fur turban and (Jelicat^ 


132 


POLISH BLOOD. 


gauze veil suddenly again became very pale. Not 
until he was out of sight did Beatrice raise her eyes, 
toward the direction he had taken. 

An indescribable mixture of passionate joy, anger 
and pain was depicted in her face. She took the- 
braids and threw them defiantly over her shoulder,, 
then looking accidentally upon the floor, she saw a 
Maybell upon the carpet, which had fallen from his 
bouquet. Impetuously she stooped to pick it up,, 
then gazing at it between smiles and tears with in- 
finite tenderness, she flew down the long corridor to. 
her room. 

There she brought forth her diary and pressed the- 
stolen flower between the white leaves, and kissed it 
tenderly again and again. 

“■ To the memory of his kiss on my hand,” she 
whispered, with her countenance illumined with joy,, 
and, pressing her ermine muff wildly to her heart be- 
cause he had had it in his hand, she sighed : 

“ Ah, you happy Xenia ! He is taking all the 
other May blossoms to you.” 

Just then Miss Davenport’s voice was heard in the 
corridor calling her charge. 

“ Heaven be praised that the old witch was not 
near by to disturb our conversation ! ” murmured 
Beatrice, exultingly, as she stormed out of the room, 
and saw her brother Constantine standing in the 
doorway. 

“ The last ! ” laughed she mischievously, hitting 
the unsuspicious scholar of the fourth form upon the 
head with the muff she had just tenderly caressed ; 
and then began a wild chase through the park, which 
finally terminated in a vigorous combat with snow- 
balls. 

Constantine was a youth of ambitious aspirations, 
and was generally not found wanting in anything. 

“ Incredible ! What a tom-boy I ” exclaimed Miss 
Davenport, shaking her head disapprovingly, while 
the brown braid with the red ribbon danced for very 
joy through the air. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


133 


In the meanwhile Prince Heller-Hiiningen, above 
in the corner salon, had rolled a chair near the easel, 
before which the Countess Dynar sat painting a Wat- 
teau medallion upon gold-colored satin. He was so 
animated and seemed in such a good humor that he 
scarcely needed to assure his cousin that he had 
come directly from breakfast. 

“ Well, to-day the immortal Proczna passed through 
here with four Andalusian steeds, countless domes- 
tics and the baggage of a king,” said he, laughing, 
while he rolled up his gloves and twirled them round 
by the button ; “ and Flanders made all haste, of 
course, to take him under his wing, and introduce 
him to the Casino. I tell you, my little cousin, it 
was a weighty session ; for, of course, we were all 
determined to strike the man with awe.” 

Donat laughed softly : “ A famous fellow, I tell 
you, who is equal to Franz Joseph’s whole Ulanen 
regiment. They awe him ! Flanders thought he 
would make him stare with wonder when he took 
the affair in hand, borrowed one of Meyers’ liveried 
grooms to add to his only one, harnessed his two 
steeds to take the singer, hack fashion, to his hotel, 
and, great heavens ! when the god saw the pitiful 
conveyance, a motion of his hand, and along came 
his magnificent four-in-hand, and the two gentlemen 
of the ‘ feudal arms ’ were sent like a flash to their 
own homes, ha ! ha ! I told Flanders he would better 
tie up his steeds, or they would be lost under the 
immensity of the Proczna personal.” 

“ I can hardly believe you were so malicious, Don- 
at ” — Xenia turned her head still more to one side, 
and with trembling fingers retouched a false shade ; 
she painted in an absent-minded sort of a way. 

“ Oh, there is still better to come,” said Hiiningen, 
with a countenance beaming with amusement, pick- 
ing up a paint brush, and touching the cover of the 
paint-box with anything but tasteful blots. “You 
should have been present at that breakfast, Xenia. 
In fact, I do not think there ever was anything upon 


134 


POLISH BLOOD. 


this green earth quite so funny, and then Flanders’s 
face, and the fat Captain of the Guards, who at first 
sat like an inflated frog: Z’ etat c^est le roV^ 

“ L’Stat c'est moi ! ” 

“You’re right! . . . And then he became as thin 
as a sardine sliced in six. I assure you, my dear 
cousin, I never laughed so much in my life. I almost 
pressed his Highness Isterloh’s big toe off under the 
table, in my delight. They determined to receive this 
star of the first magnitude in the horizon of art, with 
the mostgracious condescension, in order to show him 
how the Ulan officers are accustomed to break- 
fast, and at the same time give him permission to go 
abroad and astonish the world with accounts of how 
we Ulan do live. Flanders and the Captain of the 
Guards, more swell-headed than ever, blew a blast 
from their trumpets, and with an air as though em- 
powered by the regiment, then ordered some of our 
famous wine upon the scene, whose golden throat 
and flavor are none of the worst, heaven knows. 
Proczna drank it because there was nothing else, and 
because he drank it in silence, the Captain became 
fearfully excited. ‘Well! my worthy sir, were you 
ever in the home of these slender beauties ? ’ he 
smirked until his fat face was lined with wrinkles. 

‘ Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting this color 
before in France ? ’ 

“ ‘ I believe not. Captain — pardon — I have never 
paid any attention to the market.’ At that he turned 
the bottle round with indifference in order to read the 
label. 

‘ “ I believe that,’ cried Flanders, throwing his head 
back ; ‘ you are the first for whom we have uncorked 
this “fleur des gouttes d’or,” as something unusual. 

“‘Fleur des gouttes d’or?’ A meaning smile 
played round Proczna’s mouth. ‘ May this not be a 
mistaken article, gentlemen ? ’ 

A roar of laughter rose. ‘ No, no — it is rare but 
a real fact,’ crowed the Captain, whose little eyes 
almost closed with merriment. ‘The Ulan regiment 


POLISH BLOOD. 


135 

often makes the impossible possible, and obtains a 
wine whose existence to most mortals is but a fable. 
Here’s to my dear Proczna ! your good fortune, and 
may you live long to enjoy it ! ” 

“Again another scene I Our guest responded, in 
his most charming style then leaning back he said : 
‘ The home of this celebrated wine, Gouttes d’or, is 
in Wineberg, in the small territory of Guianne, not 
more than twenty miles in circumference, near the 
Chateau Nisle la Baise, a possession of the Duke of 
Valence. Do you gentlemen receive your wine under 
special protection from the wine-cellar of the Duke?’ 

“ Silence reigned, then Heckelberg with difficulty 
cleared his throat, and in a very weak voice said : 
‘ No — as far as I — I say, from what source do we draw 
our wine, Flanders? You have charge of the im- 
portation ? ’ 

“ Flanders looked as though he were highly insulted. 
‘ I went myself to Bordeaux and made my agreement 
with a perfectly reliable wine merchant.’ 

“ Proczna shook his head and shrugged his shoul- 
ders, as he turned the glass toward the light ; then, 
with an air of commiseration, he said : ‘ Perhaps I 
am presuming too much when I maintain that the 
dealer may be one who furnishes correct labels, but 
false drops. This wine is good, gentlemen, but fleur 
des gouttes d’or it certainly is not.’ 

“ ^ But can you confirm this statement ? ’ 

“ The Captain of the Guards had become as pale 
as death, and the whole company began to wear a 
crushed air. 

“ ‘ By the simplest proof in the world, gentlemen,” 
smiled Proczna ; and as an opportunity for testing the 
wine, I beg that you will all afford me the pleasure 
of drinking with me in a few days. I have been drink- 
ing the genuine “ Gouttes d’or ” for more than a year, 
and I always have it with me when I travel.’ 

“ Well, Xenia, you should have seen the effect of 
these words.” 

Hiiningen leaned back in his chair and laughed 


136 


POLISH BLOOD, 


SO heartily that Xenia measured him with great re- 
proving eyes ; but Donat was so excited and so full 
of the whole affair that he did not notice it. 

“ Proczna further related, to confirm his assertion, 
that the genuine ‘ Gouttes d’or ’ never reached the 
public at all, and that the only person supplied from 
the enchanted cellars were the Emperor in Paris and 
the Duke of Valence. ‘ A most fortunate accident 
made me, however, one of the chosen three,’ he said, 
with a mien as though it were of no more import- 
ance than if he were communicating the fact that 
two and two make four. ‘ The Duke of Valence dis- 
tinguished me by the preference of calling me friend. 
At a little matinee at his hotel I sang before a select 
few of the Court circle ; I happened to be in par- 
ticular good voice. The Duke declared that a bottle 
of Gouttes d’or, in which we had just drank to “ honne 
chance^"* was the cause of it. Since then he has sup- 
plied me with this voice elixir in the most lavish 
manner.’ 

“ Ah ! my little cousin, I would give a year of my 
life could I have taken Proczna’s, Zanders, and the 
Captain’s picture at that moment, — Faces — the last 
two long as a yard-stick and color — like — Oh, here, 
yes, exactly like this mixture of green, yellow, piti- 
able ! ” and Donat in the greatest of glee daubed the 
palette with the different colors. “And Heaven 
knows in a good cause. Only think what a calamity 
to see the floor fall out of our wine-cellars ! Our 
Qave des Landers,, which is as celebrated in the 
German army as a kangaroo in Lapland. And now 
comes Janek Proczna and tells the astonished people 
that he was almost poisoned by the nasty stuff at a 
breakfast given by the Ulan Guards of the Emperor 

Franz J oseph’s cavalry ! Fleurs des gouttes For ! ’ 

Holy supper, sugar-water, with a little vinegar and 
phosphorus matches in it ! Ah ! my little cousin, I 
thought I would perish with laughter.” 

And Prince Heller-Hiiningen’s laugh was so con- 
tagious, that even from Xenia’s brow the dark shad- 


POLISH BLOOD, 


137 


ows fled, and she laughed also. Then laying down 
her pencil, she turned a fixed gaze upon him and her 
voice sounded more severe than usual. 

“ How can you amuse yourself in this manner over 
a mortification that certainly falls as much upon you 
as your comrades ? ” 

Donat turned his open kindly eyes upon her. 
“We all had our fun out of it except Flanders, and 
the ‘lost son,’ the captain, who had provided the 
stuff. The next thing, they would have supplied us 
with carmine ink ! If it had occurred with any other 
person I should have been fearfully bored, but 
Proczna, this cavalier of the first order, this most 
charming of all guests, that we ever invited to our 
table — he would rather bite his tongue off than draw 
the fool’s cap over our ears.” 

Countess Dynar seemed to grow nervous. She 
buried her teeth in her lower lip and brusquely 
pushed the easel to one side. 

“ And is this heroic deed of the singer Proczna, all 
of the ‘ matter of great importance ’ about which you 
wished to see me ? ” she asked, almost contemptu- 
ously. 

The countenance of the young officer became more 
earnest. He rose and shook his handsome head. “No, 
Xenia, I come for another cause, and if I have pro- 
longed the preface to an unusual length, I did it 
simply from diplomatic reasons, to gain courage, for 
I know the question I am about to ask you will 
make you fearfully angry ! ” 

She looked up astonished, but Donat looked her 
straight in the eyes. “ Answer me, candidly and 
honestly, in what relation does Janek Proczna stand 
to you and your house ? ” 

A deathlike pallor settled upon the beautiful face 
of the Countess ; her hands convulsively crushed the 
silken folds of her dress, and yet her features remained 
unaltered. 

“ Janek Proczna? To me ? ” came with a tone of 
the greatest contempt from her lips. 


138 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ I beg of you not to play a false r61e before me, 
your relative, my dear Xenia,” implored the Prince, 
in a kindly tone. “ Do not seek to disguise from me 
what the veriest stranger in the city knows.” 

“ Strangers know ? ” came from her breast like a 
cry of anguish. “ I implore you. Count, what have 
people dared to imagine, and what reports have they 
spread ? ” 

The cold, fixed repose was gone. With flashing 
eyes she started toward him, and the hand that lay 
imploringly upon the arm of the Ulan officer 
trembled. 

Donat’s face was earnest, but his eyes beamed 
brightly. “‘Janek Proczna ’ is a pseudonym, is a 
fact, and he that conceals himself behind it, seems 
also no longer a secret. When we were at breakfast, 
and Meyer Von Sensfeldt’s face grew red, that 
which filled his heart soon slipped from off his tongue. 
He raised his glass to Proczna. ‘ Discretion in affairs 
of honor, comrade, as we are accustomed to say 
among hussars and guards : “ Good morning, couleur.''' 
There is, you know, between the sister arms of cuir- 
assiers and the Ulan a secret sympathy, which 
betrays itself more forcibly than one imagines. Here, 
then, to the health of cuirassier-guard Proczna ! 
Good morning, couleur^ ” 

The Countess trembled as though seized with an 
ague fit. “ And he — the Pole — What did he reply ? ” 

“ He played the r61e of the innocent in a masterly 
manner, until Flanders pressed him with a thousand 
insinuations, which were aimed at you. Cousin.” 

“At me?” Xenia whispered through her teeth; 
“ and at that ? ” 

“ At that he arose, calm, earnest and proud, then 
raising his glass, he gazed round the circle of guests, 
with a kingly, almost threatening glance. ‘ Discre- 
tion, gentlemen, in an affair of honor,’ he said slowly. 
‘ May I ask you to drink with me to the oblivion of 
the lotus-eater ? ’ ” 

Xenia’s head sank; her eyes fixed themselves 


POLISH BLOOD. 139 

upon the carpet, whose figures seemed to dance 
wildly before them. 

Prince Hiiningen arose, and approaching her, said 
softly, “ Xenia, is Proczna your adopted brother ? ” 

She raised her head — wild defiance glowed in her 
eyes : “ God have mercy upon me, Donat, he is ! ” 

“ He is ? . . . Xenia, he really is ? ” said Heller- 
Hiiningen, impetuously seizing both of the Countess’s 
hands, and crying aloud with joyous exultation. 
“ And you could keep this secret in your heart and 
conceal it from me, and now that it is announced 
to you, you place the words ‘ God have mercy on 
me ’ before it ? Oh, Xenia, how proud you can be of 
such a brother I ” 

Almost angrily she freed her hands from his clasp. 

“ The adopted son of my father is not my brother,” 
she replied vehemently, “and no one has the right to 
stamp him as such ! Janek Proczna is as much a 
stranger to me in blood and name as any other Pole 
who goes singing through the world, making himself 
a playball in the hands of a capricious public ! The 
step which led him upon the stage, to be applauded 
and criticised as the concert singer, cast down for- 
ever the bridge which my father once built on the 
promise of his exterior. Janek Proczna has, by the 
/choice of his calling and pseudonym, declared him- 
self unworthy to be the brother of a Countess Dynar, 
and made a chasm between us which all the laurels 
in the world are not able to fill.” 

It was like the rising of some raging torrent that 
had burst its confines which dammed in its proud 
waters and made them impotent, or as though a seal 
had been taken from Xenia’s lips which had pent up 
this storm of passion for long years in the innermost 
recesses of her heart ! Unfettered violence trembled 
through every word, sounded in her voice and flamed 
in her dark eyes; like the spring storm that roars 
victoriously over the ice-fields of conquered winter, 
and so swept the hot waves of intense emotion over 
the heretofore pale face of the Countess. 


140 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Hiiningen leaned heavily upon the back of his chair 
and gazed at her. He felt that here was a battle in 
a woman’s proud heart, and that solitude was the 
best field in which she was most likely to be victor- 
ious. 

He extended his hand kindly toward her. “You 
have not seen Janek for years, and you have no idea 
how unjustly you judge him. And therefore I lay 
no stress upon your severe words, which I hope you 
will recall ! So, good-bye until I see you again, my 
dear cousin — and ... if my mediation could have 
just a little chance with you ” — Donat bowed low and 
kissed the white hand — “then perhaps you will greet 
Janek Proczna more graciously that you dismiss m^.” 

He passed out. Xenia threw herself on a chair 
and remained motionless. 

The storm which for two years had been rising 
threateningly on her horizon, now stood ready to 
burst upon her head, and on its thunder, majestic and 
fearful at the same time, rolled a single name : “ Janek 
Proczna ! ” 

Some one knocked at the door. Xenia raised her 
head. 

A servant brought in two letters, and announced 
that the groom of her Excellency, Madame Gartner, 
awaited an answer. 

Noiselessly he disappeared behind the portiere. 
Xenia pressed her cold hands against her temples, and 
then mechanically opened the billets and gazed in an 
absent-minded sort of a way down into them. Death- 
like stillness reigned for a few moments in the salon, 
broken only by the rustling of the paper between the 
fingers of the reader ; — then, trembling with emotion, 
she crushed the paper together and cast it wide from 
her on the marble floor, as though it had been a 
poisonous insect. 

Xenia gave a laugh — an indescribable laugh, which 
was choked in tears. It seemed as though a veil had 
been suddenly torn from her mental vision. She 
gazed down upon a net of confusing threads, which 


POLISH BLOOD, 


lil 


intrigue had artfully woven and secretly fastened, 
and which the greedy hands 'of Madame Rumor had 
seized and wider spun, until it stretched close under 
the feet of Countess Dynar, in order that she might 
trip and fall into it, and become the object of derision 
and the laughing-stock of humanity. 

Janek Proczna under her roof! Janek Proczna 
received in her salon to satisfy curiosity ! A vertigo 
seemed to possess her mind. She shook her head in 
despair and pressed her hands to her breast. “ Rather 
death, rather ruin than endure such a defeat.” 

All had been planned. For a long time her ene- 
mies had been diving down deep into the innermost 
recesses of her life. It had long been known who 
Janek Proczna really was, and they had devised a 
comedy, in which the r61e of the humbled fool was to 
be assigned to her. In a few hours they would cross 
her threshold to sit in judgment upon the name of 
Dynar, and feed themselves with delight upon the 
spectacle of the Countess Xenia paled with shame. 
But Janek Proczna would triumph, and measure her 
again with that glance he had given her long ago, 
when he prophesied this hour ; he would again morally 
lift the whip against her pride and honor, and brand 
the mark of infam}^ upon her brow ! 

Full of desperation, Xenia hastened with nervous 
hand to draw the bell cord. “Away from here, 

away into the deepest solitude Everything 

may go to wreck and ruin, if I be not the witness of 
it! Anything — anywhere — so that I may avoid 
Janek Proczna’s mocking eyes ! ” 

The servant entered, he had his hand already 
upon the door bell to announce a visit. With a low 
bow, and without a word he passed his young mistress 
a card upon a silver tablet. 

With flashing eyes, and a haughty air she said, “ I 
receive no more visits. Send Gustine instantly to 
me.” 

“ The gentleman most earnestly entreats your 
ladyship to grant him but a moments’ audience,” 


142 


POLISH BLOOD. 


interceded the liveried servant timidly. He thought 
of the princely air with which the stranger had pressed 
a bribe into his hand, with the request that he take 
the watch-dog in custody, which unnoticed had fol- 
lowed him to the house. 

A deep fold sank between Xenia’s fine eyebrows. 

“ Who is it ? ” she asked sharply, picking up the 
card. 

“ Janek Proczna ! ” 

It seemed as though her slender form were turning 
to ice, as she stood motionless, holding the letter in 
her hand. 

“ Janek Proczna ! ” 

No — she was not dreaming — it was the truth. 
There it was before her — firm and clear — “ Janek 
Proczna.” 

Slowly she passed her hand over her brow and 
eyes. 

“Does your ladyship command that I admit the 
gentleman ? ” 

The golden blonde head lifted itself queenly upon 
the proud neck, and turned toward the questioner. 

“ In the balcony-salon.” 

There was something hollow in the tone of her 
voice. 

Again she was alone. 

Again something like the spring-storm rushed and 
roared through her soul ; then all was calm. Her 
way lay clear and open before her. 

Cold and frosty as a boundless snow-field, neither 
path nor bridge she sees, but far, far beyond, on the 
horizon, as though slowly defining itself from out a 
dissolving view, rose a dark form that grew larger 
and larger. It raises its hand and beckons to her ; 
“ Come.” 

With a firm step Xenia Dynar went to meet him. 
Her foot would find its way through the fallow field, 
upon which mockery, humiliation, and enmity had 
sown their poisonous nettles, and over which public 
opinion and the deceit of the world had rolled their 


POLISH BLOOD. 


143 


stones. Yet Countess Xenia Dynar was brave and 
proud enough to tread the painful path, and to 
tread with contempt the nettles and the stones be- 
neath her feet ! 

Scarcely had the door closed behind her than nim- 
ble footsteps passed through the portiere of the oppo- 
site side into the salon. 

Beatrice gave a quick glance about her, and crept 
softly on her tip-toes to the table. 

She was right: there lay Donat’s precious May 
blossoms unnoticed, already wilted — even broken — 
as though they had been thrown with the utmost in- 
difference upon the table.” 

Indignation flashed from Bicky’s clear brown eyes 
toward the door behind which the tall form of the 
Countess had just disappeared. She raised the 
flowers tenderly to her little snub-nose, and uttered 
a thousand caressing words to them. “ Only on his 
account do I look upon you, you poor, helpless things, 
for that hateful Xenia does not deserve to have any 
one run after her to put her bouquets in water. If 
you did not come from him, you might lie here until 
the Day of Judgment! But he will see them some 
day, and then he will be hurt, for now he is so much 
in love with Xenia that he is positively stupid. In- 
deed, I know very well how it goes when one is not 
cared for in return.” 

A deep sigh stole from her lips, then kissing the 
May blossoms tenderly again she placed them in 
water. 

It was a great consolation to her to risk caring for 
the neglected flowers, which she often did without 
Xenia’s knowledge. 

Why was she not as tall and beautiful as the much- 
admired Countess Dynar ? Why was she still kept in 
the nursery, and why did her mamma so obstinately 
compel her to wear this detestable braid — this heart- 
ache which would one day be the nail in her coffin? 
Donat tormented her continually about it . . . and 
. . . Oh, how she hated the coiffeur^ whose fault 


144 


POLISH BLOOD. 


alone it was that made Donat treat her as a child ! 

If she could only cut it off . . . but woe be to her 
if she did. What to do ? 

Bicky gave the May bell another despairing kiss, 
and then beat a retreat downstairs to her room to 
ponder upon means which would put an end to the 
unbearable state of affairs in the Villa Florian. 

She turned this way, now that way — there was 
that braid still hanging behind her. 

“ Oh Donat ! Donat ! ” 


CHAPTER X. 

Although the windows in Xenia’s “ work-room ” 
were free to the sunlight, those of the grand central 
salon were heavily draped and shaded. Great bay- 
windows of richly-stained glass led out upon a wide- 
columned balcony. A subdued light fell in trem- 
bling bands through tlie stained windows, tinging with 
ruddy splendor the gold and white embroidered bro- 
cade coverings of the chairs, divans, the marble tables, 
and statues, arranged through the apartment with 
artistic elegance. 

From the richly ornamented ceiling, sparkled and 
flashed cut-glass crystals of the great chandeliers, 
whose design, that of the lily’s-chalice, was as origi- 
nal as beautiful. 

The colors, white and gold, seemed to reign 
throughout the apartment, and even asserted their 
right upon the floor, where the mosaic was set in 
snowy water-lilies which seemed to swim upon a 
luminous surface of pale gold. 

Before different articles of furniture were spread, 
in the absence of carpets, costly snowy llama skins, 
and upon the alabaster mantels stood delicately chis- 
eled vases, over whose edges great tufts of ostrich 
plumes undulated with the air. 

The heavy silken folds of the portieres separated 


POLISH BLOOD. 


145 


and the Countess Dynar stepped over the threshold. 

Her glance must be raised if it would meet Janek 
Proczna’s dark eyes. 

Slowly she approached him, and, without a word, 
took a cool survey of the outer being. Like two 
kingly adversaries measuring each other’s strength 
for combat, glance flamed to glance, the two proud 
necks stiffened in defiant refusal of reconciliation. 

Then an expression of polite indifference lay upon 
his handsome countenance, which bright, fresh, and 
sunburned, was turned toward her ; the ohligaten re- 
quisiten of the artist, “ pale and nervous,” he seemed 
to have rejected, and the “ Alliiren ” of an officer of 
a Cuirassier Guard ostensibly to have cultivated. 

He bowed in an earnest and dignified manner, and 
as the Countess Dynar had no word of greeting, it 
devolved upon him to break the painful silence. He 
did it with the straightforward composure of an ordi- 
nary business transaction. 

“ I assume. Countess, that my visit here is no sur- 
prise to you, as I was honored by yourself with an 
invitation to visit this northern country. The pleas- 
ure which the Princess and the ladies of her court 
awakened by their amiable interest, made me credu- 
lous and I only saw what was before my eyes — ^your 
signature. Countess, and therefore did not consider 
the probable network of circumstances which might 
have forced you to be one of the number. I there- 
fore undertook the journey and accepted the invita- 
tion without considering the situation.” 

Xenia sank into a chair and, with a slight move- 
ment of her hand, motioned him to occupy the one 
opposite to her. 

“ You are right when you doubt that the caprice 
to invite you here ripened in my head,” she replied, 
frankly, “ and you are very much in error, however, 
when you suppose that my signature was forced from 
me. I signed calmly after a mature deliberation 
of the affair.” 

Her dark eye had a challenging expression in it, 

10 


146 


POLISH BLOOD. 


aud the hard, immovable expression of her counte- 
nance softened somewhat. 

Janek looked up surprised. “ And it was really 
your intention to call me ? ” 

A smile played around her lips. 

“ Oh, no I I believed I could find no better means 
of keeping you at a distance than this laconic hint of 
my presence.” 

Proczna laughed as though amused. 

“How could you expect an ordinary being like 
myself to understand the finesse of a diplomat, who 
reads between lines? The idea of setting up the 
name of Xenia Dynar as a scarecrow to frighten 
away the timid, is an exceedingly original idea, and 
one I shall bear in mind in all future cases. Unfor- 
tunately, your little stratagem this time only made a 
fiasco, and it will be necessary for you to explain 
yourself more fully if you wish to keep me at a dis- 
tance.” 

Xenia bit her lips. “ It is too late now — in every 
respect too late.” 

“ By no means ; if you say that my presence here 
is unpleasant to you, the next train shall take me 
back to the Residence.” He spoke these words with 
as calm and indifferent a mien as though he were add- 
ing to it his thoughts — “ The parting will not be a 
very painful one.” 

And Xenia’s eyes flashed. “ And what would the 
world say to such a sensational piece of news ? ” 

“ The world ! I have never troubled myself about 
its opinion.” 

•“God knows that,” she continued with a violence 
in tone and gesture which Janek had never seen be- 
fore. “ If it had been the case, we should both have 
been spared this painful hour. Had you but listened 
to the world and the warning voice ; had the opinions 
of your relatives and comrades had the power to in- 
fluence you we should not sit facing each other as 
strangers to-day, nor the seed which my father sowed 
in his mistaken love developed into hatred, dissen- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


147 


sion, contempt and enmity. You renounced me, and 
I did not seek to detain you. You estranged your- 
self from me, and I suffered it — suffered it because 
you did not listen to the world’s opinion, because” — 

Xenia became speechless with wild excitement, 
which, like a consuming fire, had seized her, and 
carried her farther than she intended, ere she was 
aware of it. 

“ But why these reminiscences. Countess ? You 
have digressed entirely from the subject of our con- 
versation? And besides, you are not able to bring 
about a change in the existing state of affairs.” 

A sunbeam at that moment broke through the 
snow-clouds, and falling upon the stained window 
cast a bright band over Xenia’s hair ; and like glow- 
ing fire it burned there. Janek’s brow darkened as 
he drew near her. 

“ And why should it be otherwise ? The Polish 
foundling, the son of the rebel and homeless wan- 
derer, would have had a sad r61e to play in the 
vicinity of the Countess Dynar — and, sooner or later, 
3^ou would have gone so far as to blot out the Polish 
stain from your escutcheon ! Then why revert to a 
subject and reproach ourselves ? I am contented and 
happy in my destiny, and wish for nothing else ; and 
you. Countess, have the satisfaction of knowing that 
you have attained your ideal of happiness ! So, then, 
we will tread our separate paths, and I think neither 
one will miss the other.” 

The sunbeam disappeared — the countenance of 
Xenia had become pale again ; her lips trembled, 
and nodding her head slowly she mentally repeated, 
“ Neither one will miss the other ! ” 

Janek rose, calm and indifferent as before. 

“If the seeds of love planted by my never-to-be- 
forgotten adopted father have bloomed into hatred 
and enmity, it can only be in your own heart. Count- 
ess, for I shall never forget what I owe to the daugh- 
ter of my benefactor, and I shall ever stand prepared 
to prove to you my sincere and respectful devotion. 


148 


POLISH BLOOD. 


You had the candor to honestly admit your signature 
was not a call to your side. I shall therefore leave 
the field fighting with honorable arms.” 

Xenia bit her lips and raised her hand hastily, 
as though to prevent him, but Proczna, with a bitter 
smile, continued : “ Do not be uneasy. Countess. I 
know what discretion I must use, and I shall find 
cogent reasons to justify my unexpected departure.” 

Lifting her head defiantly, Xenia rose with hasty 
determination, and stepped before him. 

“ You will not leave, Janek Proczna — I — I ask 
you to remain.” 

She almost panted, while a glowing flush rose to 
her very temples and mantled her charming counte- 
nance. Surprised, he gazed up into her face, then 
rising he stepped close to her and gazed firmly into 
her eyes. 

“ You are not aware. Countess, how venturesome 
such a permission is.” 

“ Why so?” 

“ Do you think it will be in my power to protect a 
pseudonym, which the argus eyes of curiosity spy 
upon day and night? Do you know that many 
attempts have already been made to unmask me ? ” 

Her slender form seemed to grow in triumph, and 
her firm, flashing glance seemed to sink into his 
eyes. 

“ Yes, I know it ! ” 

“ And yet you would ho'd me here ? ” 

Xenia lowered her voice, while a contemptuous 
smile played round her lips. 

“ The world judges the pride of the Countess Dynar 
to be brittle as glass, and believes that calumny need 
but cast a stone at it to shiver its power in pieces, 
and malice exults in the thought that Janek Proczna 
is the scourge to deal me the deadly blow. They 
have erred and I shall prove it to them 1 You called 
me candid a moment ago. Well, then I shall be so 
again, and honestly give you the motive of my action 
in this affair, not because I approve of your actions 


POLISH BLOOD. 


149 


and your course, Janek Proczna, but because I wish 
to break the venomous arrows of calumny, and blunt 
their edge ; this is my reason for introducing you to 
the society of this city as the adopted son of my 
father. My heart and soul deny you, but my tongue 
will acknowledge you, in order to show people how 
little my pride has in common with the formality 
Nvhich leads your Polish blood into the veins of my 
house.” 

Like a storm the words burst from her lips, and 
yet she sought to restrain them with an appearance 
of friendly interest. 

Drawn up to his full height, Janek Proczna stood 
before her. A humorous smile played round his 
mouth. “ Is the public really worth a comedy that 
calls for so much self-command on your part — and 
on mine the — the self-control and courtesy which 
your exaction demands? ” 

Xenia winced. “ Do you consider it an exaction 
to be proclaimed the adopted son of a Count 
Dynar?” 

He gave a low, strange laugh. “ Under the cir- 
cumstances, yes ! You are greatly in error, Countess, 
Avhen you imagine you would make me happy by the 
burden of your name, which would impose duties 
and considerations entirely opposed to my nature. I 
am convinced that I, as Janek Proczna, will be re- 
ceived here quite as cordially as would be the alien 
member of a family whose representative repels me, 
and then, from the same selfish motive, draws me to 
her, according as her pride exacts. The name Janek 
Proczna stands out before the whole world — and I my- 
self dare say it — with honor, while the name of 
Dynar must submit to the indignity of having at least 
one person shrug his shoulders in contempt at it. 
That one is I, Countess.” 

A chill seemed to pass through Xenia’s form. 
She saw the speaker again bow, as though he were 
about to turn towards the door. She bit her lips and 
X’aised her head. 


150 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Janek Proczna I ” 

“ At your command, Countess.” 

Her soul wrestled with the torment she suffered. 

“ I have offended you — I thought you were strong 
enough to bear the truth without its accustomed 
sugar-coating. I thought I could treat you in a 
different manner from the world at large, who enjoy 
the hollow phrasing of hypocrisy. Why should I 
deceive you with a sympathy I do not feel ? Why 
utter words that are not honorably meant? And 
why make my actions appear better than they are ? 
Did you, long ago, hang the mantle of love over the 
mortification when 5’ou tore my father’s testament 
and threw it at my feet ? No ! Why then require of 
me the gloss of speech which you yourself have never 
honored ? I did not know that Janek Proczna would 
return other than he went away.” 

There was something in her voice that sounded 
like a passionate reproach, mingled with disappoint- 
ment. 

Janek’s glance seemed as though it would pierce 
the innermost depths of the speaker’s soul; his lips 
opened to make an angry reply ; then as though 
some soothing hand passed over his countenance, he 
smiled and shrugged his shoulders. 

“You are mistaken. Countess. We have both re- 
mained unchanged, and therefore must we again be 
convinced that the friction of two such hard stones 
must be injurious to both, and that two such stub- 
born heads do not suit very well together. The 
Janek Proczna of to-day can hear the truth quite as 
w'ell as he of long ago, but he requires certain con- 
tingencies to call it forth. What woman possesses 
the courage to tell the truth at all times? None — 
not even you. Countess. Therefore is it doubtful 
whether a man should encourage such a tone in con- 
versation ? 'What women call truth consists mostly 
in insulting attacks influenced by a thousand little 
mental conflicts, and dictated by bad humor or vin- 
dictive inclinations, Gallantry, on the other hand, 


POLISH BLOOD, 


151 


binds tlie hands of a man, and politeness his tongue. 
Jf a woman really possessed the courage to tell the 
truth conscientiousl}^ not only as a punishment, but 
as a reward, as a recognition, which is no flattery, 
then, and then only, would there be harmony in the 
intercourse of two strong characters, who are brave 
enough to tell the truth.” 

“ And you consider me incapable of such cour- 
age?” 

Janek’s rapid glance passed over the charming 
figure, while a peculiar expression lay upon his fea- 
tures. “ Yes, at least, toward me ! ” 

“ And why should I make an exception of you ? ” 

“ Because you will always have a feeling of 
sovereignty for the son of the fugitive, and in con- 
sequence entitled to swing a knout of cutting words 
at him ; because you will never vouchsafe honor to 
the concert singer, or see in his actions anything 
worthy of praise, much less express it in words.” 

“ Not when I acknowledge you as the adopted son 
of my father, and as the bearer of my name — place 
you at my side ? ” 

“ You do this only as a courageous deed, not out of 
conviction.” 

Nervous impatience burned in Xenia’s eyes, and 
her white teeth buried themselves in her under lip. 

“ The fact, however, remains, and the motives 
which determined my course of conduct are, of course, 
a matter of indifference to you,” she. replied, almost 
passionately. “And should I ever find anything 
praiseworthy in you, I shall admit it as unreservedly 
as I now honestly show you how — uncongenial you 
are to me.” 

“Indeed ! You are very generous. Countess, and 
it is a pity that you and I have wasted so many fine 
words over a mere bagatelle.” Proczna gazed down 
upon her with a calm, half-amused air. “ The short 
duration of my stay here will scarcely give you an 
opportunity for either praise or blame, and I — one 
can so easily withdraw from a company. But you 


152 


POLISH BLOOD, 


wish me to remain and lay aside my pseudonym. 
Very well; but reconsider this last point again and 
weigh well all of its unfavorable sides. It may be a 
greater exaction for the pride of a Countess Dynar 
than you now think to introduce to such an exclusive 
circle as yours the ‘ proscribed ’ concert-singer as a 
brother ; for the triumph in view will be but for the 
moment, while the ‘ cuckoo will then lie forever in the 
nest,’ and be perhaps a more inconvenient ballast 
than you imagine. An idea has just occurred to me 
which suggests a means which will rescue you from 
your mortifying position. You say people know or 
suspect my real name in your circle, and that it is 
their intention to prepare a public disgrace for you in 
exposing the same ! As far as that is concerned, who 
can prove that you should be ashamed of me ? I, 
Janek Proczna, have asked the discretion of you to 
disclaim me. I myself have acknowledged that I do 
not belong at your side and that all ties between us 
are severed. And you were discreet enough to re- 
gard my wish. I shall take all the blame upon my- 
self in case anyone, so utterly lacking in tact, insists 
upon unmasking me, and shall relate such a monstrous 
story of shamelessness, open defiance and malevolent 
disregard of all natural ties that one will readily un- 
derstand why such a brother is not recognized before 
the world ! When the bomb really bursts, I shall 
place myself before you and receive all the pieces. 
All the venomous arrows will be turned upon me, and 
you can proudly turn your back upon me and say, 
‘ You have just heard from his own mouth that there 
is nothing in common between us ! What is this 
foundling to me, this Polish beggar, that was laid at 
our threshold in the night and the storm ? ’ — You and 
your pride will receive justification, and I can lose 
myself again in the wide world — where neither one 
will miss the other.” 

Again these words. Janek’s gaze seemed to scorch 
her face. It seemed as though this man’s clear, 
piercing eyes would test their whole power on her. 

Haughtily she returned the gaze. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


153 


“ And as though it were not in my power to say 
the same? WhjAii vent a generous falsehood, which 
is none ? You seek to blind me with words, which, 
in spite of all your suavity, conceal a fact whose ab- 
solute existence makes it unnecessary to invent it ! 
What are you to me? Nothing ! What did you do 
at Proczna? Cast the testament of my father at my 
feet, and defiantly turned your back ! Who will 
hinder me from using all these facts as a shield to 
protect my menaced pride ? ” Xenia shook her beauti- 
ful head in feverish excitement. “ I restrain myself, 
Janek Proczna — I, who feel the courage, to tell you 
the truth, even though it be not a lash of the knout ! 
The intrigue of the women who envy me was the 
cause of my determination to acknowledge you, but 
there was more than the mere phrasing, in whose 
meaning I myself did not believe, but in the firm 
conviction that you really belong to me and my 
family ; that the man whom I had known through 
long years as a boy, and loved as a brother, was no 
stranger to me, even though no ties of blood bound 
him to me, and not a single action of his life made 
him desirable to me. And that Janek Proczna has 
been, tkrough all that time, the most tormenting 
thought. Even though I would, I could not deny 
the time when we were not in reality brother and 
sister without falsifying.” A bitter smile lowered 
the lines of her mouth. “ Therefore permit yourself 
without misgiving to be presented to the Princess, 
not as an obligation to me, but from the conviction 
that you have the right to be called Count Dynar.” 

Singularly pale had Janek Proczna’s countenance 
become. 

“ A right to the title, notwithstanding I shall be 
expected to step to the piano and entertain the com- 
pany as a paid singer.” 

“ Notwithstanding.” 

The breast of the young man rose with the emotion 
he felt, while a strange glow seemed to dance in his 
eye. 


154 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Xeuia did not notice it. The silken lashes lay 
loDg upon her cheeks. It appeared as though she 
bad spoken with closed eyes, rashly, as a child ^ that 
rushes madly through a dark room with the single 
thought of getting through with the torture. 

“ I have just received a billet from the Princess, 
and her Excellency, Madame Von Gartner, which 
entreats me to give the first soiree muicale at my 
house, as the salons of Madame, through some maXheur., 
have been rendered unfit for company. You will be 
apprised by letter of the change in the invitations by 
one of my servants.” 

A low bow and no reply, then, looking at her 
fixedly for a few minutes, Janek said, “I shall be at 
your disposition. Countess.” 

She looked hastily up at him and smiled, then with 
an effort to be amiable, which strained her power of 
self-command to the utmost, she said: “I think the 
world will expect me to give the adopted son of my 
father his Christian name, as a natural consequence, 
which courage to tell the truth draws upon itself.” 

Again a low bow and silence was the only reply. 

“ Uncle Drach will be very glad to see you, and as 
he and Aunt Clare will also represent the family to- 
morrow evening — unfortunately Madame Godlaw, 
the- General’s widow, is sick — and I would be pleased 
if you would do me the favor to make a visit in the 
first floor.” 

Janek was dismissed. He took his leave with 
formal politeness. As Xenia looked up into his face 
she was struck with the singular expression which 
mastered it. It was not irony, for the beaming eyes 
looked too kindly for that, it Was rather a scarcely- 
concealed triumph or a laugh suppressed with diffi- 
culty that betrayed itself in slight tremors about the 
lips. 

The portieres closed behind him. Countess Xenia 
stood gazing at them motionless, although their folds 
fell to the floor in their accustomed form. 

When Janek Proczna was announced, she was 


POLISH BLOOD. 


155 


almost determined to flee from him, as though from 
a nameless disgrace, out into the wide world ; when 
she saw him cross her threshold, her proud soul 
suffered with the thought that she must deign to 
speak to him, and a secret thought bade her drive 
him forth in scorn and hatred, and when he went . . . 
she had begged as though for a favor that he would 
remain, bear her name, and she had said that she 
would publicly acknowledge him from her full con- 
viction to his right to the position. And her senses 
swam as though a vertigo had seized them. She 
bowed her head low upon her breast and gazed with 
wide-open eyes into the fire’s red glow. 

And how had it all come about? She did not 
know, he had said so much, simply about indifferent, 
every-day matters, and yet his words had had the 
effect of opium upon her senses and spread a mist 
before her clear eyes. 

She wished to recall his words to memory. Impos- 
sible ! Like the snowflake without, they whirled in 
a mad chase through her head. Onl}^ one expression 
stood out bold and clear in the midst of all their 
roaring and rushing. Neither one will miss the 
other ! ” No . . . Neither one — neither one — neither 
he nor she. 

Exhausted she leaned her head back and closed 
her eyes. The fire upon the hearth crackled softly 
like the malicious tittering of human voices, and the 
red sparks danced mischievously in the smoke as it 
curled in clouds up the chimney. 


CHAPTER XL 

It had often been remarked in Paris that Janek 
Proczna possessed great talent for diplomacy. 
Without any very great display of wit or genius he 
succeeded in turning people’s own words around in 
their mouths until they finally said just what he 
wished. 


156 


POLISH BLOOD, 


A few moments before when he ascended the 
marble staircase there lay between his eyebrows a 
frown, the silent confession of his feelings, against 
which he, with all the iron, defiant energy of his 
nature, had armed himself for this visit. Now upon 
his return the frown had disappeared, and in its stead 
there beamed a haughty confidence and a mischievous 
satisfaction in his dark eyes, over which one might 
read the motto of the French couplet : “ The gods 
themselves owed it to me.” 

The long, slender fan leaves hung low over his 
head, and one of the white statues earnest, and 
majestic, seemed to emerge from out the wall of 
green, holding in its extended arm the laurel wreath 
so low that it hovered just over the brow of the 
Pole. 

Below in the vestibule the expectant servant held 
an English setter by his polished collar. Loud barking 
greeted the footsteps of the approaching gentlehian, 
and before the liveried servant was aware of it King 
Knave had torn himself loose, and in great bounds 
flown toward his master. 

Janek stroked affectionately the slender head. 

“ Down, King ! You are not at home here, you 
must keep as still as a mouse, if you — Proczna did 
not finish. Like an arrow the setter shot down the 
stairway again, and with a short cut darted after a 
little Angora kitten, which, like a white silken coil, 
just vanished through the front hall. 

“For heaven’s sake ! Miss Beatrice’s pet ! ” cried 
the servant, trying to rush in between them ; but the 
kitten had already fled to the landing of the staircase, 
and as King Knave, as though mad, sprang to reach 
her, she gave a desperate spring down in among the 
green plants, and shot like a bright streak through 
them, and, with this considerable advantage, sprang 
into a narrow side corridor. King Knave the servant 
behind him, and then Janek, in the highest degree 
alarmed, hurried down the stairway to join in the mad 
chase. Along the corridor they all went. He soon 


POLISH JiLOOT). 


Uy? 

outdistanced the corpulent servant, and saw tlie 
kitten disappear though the opening of a door. The 
setter stormed after it. Crack ! and open flew the 
door, and Janek stood looking into a room. 

His first impulse was to beat a hasty retreat, then 
with a loud cry “ God, you are on fire,” he rushed 
in, forgetful of all ceremony, directly toward a young 
lady, who, with the greatest tranquillity, and without 
paying the slightest attention to the wild chase, sat 
rocking herself in an easy-chair before the fire. 

As she had turned her back toward the fire, still 
rocking violently to and fro, her long braid, with the 
red ribbon at the end, flew in and out of the fire’s 
bright glow like a long serpent. 

“You are on fire ! ” cried Janek again, and with a 
strong hand he seized the chair, together with Miss 
Beatrice, and turned them away from the fire, then 
seizing the burning ribbon he quenched the flames 
with his hands. 

Almost breathless from excitement, he gazed down 
almost angrily upon the imprudent little maiden, who, 
with a cry hovering between anger and regret, 
attempted to tear the braid from his hands. 

“ Young lady ! ” — Janek’s voice sounded like a 
reproving guardian’s — “ it was worse than foolish of 
you to move your chair so close to the fire that your 
hair should hang into the flames. Are you really 
so naive not to know in what fearful danger you 
were ? ” 

In the meanwhile the servant. King Knave, and 
the kitten stormed round in the adjoining room. 
Beatrice, however, rose and turned impetuously as 
though she would bury her ten little fingers in the 
impertinent intruder’s hair. 

“Naive I I am not naive. I forbid such an expres- 
sion to me, you impertinent creature ! You had abso- 
lutely no right to quench my braid ! I am no longer 
a child — I am seventeen years old, and know perfect- 
ly well what I am about.” 

Visibly affected, Janek gazed down into the pretty 


158 


POLISH BLOOD. 


little face wMcli from wounded dignity, had become 
as red as a cherry. For a moment he was speechless 
with astonishment, then breaking forth in an amused 
laugh, he said, bowing: “ With the greatest respect, 
my dear young lady. No doubt you were, with 
all the deliberation of a person of seventeen years, 
simply testing the braid’s fire-proof qualities for the 
future. 

Beatrice cast a glance of intense wretchedness 
upon her braid. Then, throwing back her head, and 
copying Cousin Xenia’s most imposing air : 

“ And suppose, sir, that were the case ? ” 

“ Then would it be my duty to spring to the rescue, 
and preserve so courageous a young lady for poster- 
ity. It is much too early in life. Miss Beatrice, to risk 
the attempt. You looked like a bonfire in the air.’ ’ 
In the greatest astonishment she gazed at him, half 
distrustfully, half curiously. 

“ You know me, it seems ? ” 

“ Of course, I do.” 

“ Where ? How ? Indeed, I never saw you before 
in my life.” 

“Really not, little cousin Bicky? Think back 
several years — six — seven summers, perhaps, when a 
tall, clownish fellow from the University came every 
July for two or three weeks to visit you, first at 
Carlsbad, then at Helgoland, in Ischl and Interlaken 
— ^your good friend, who was ever ready to play horse, 
and who never ate his bon-bons at the table d’h6te.” 

Memory needed no more. With a loud cry of joy, 
“ Janek ! dear Janek I is it you ?” and Beatrice rushed 
toward him. The book that she held in her hand fell 
clattering to the ground, and two soft, white arms 
clasped the tall man round the neck. “ Dear Janek 
— and you have at last come back ! ” 

With passionate tenderness she clung to him, while 
he pressed her to his breast. ... It seemed a dream 
to him, a sweet, incomprehensible delusion that there 
should be a soul, in Countess D 3 mar’s house who 
would bid him welcome in such a manner. He — the 


POLISH BLOOD, 


159 

lonely, forsaken one, who never before had two in- 
nocent arms extend themselves and clasp him in a 
warm, hearty affection, and a voice shout with joy, 
“ Welcome home, to your loved ones ! ” — and lie felt 
something warm rise up in his heart, as he passed his 
hand caressingly over the soft brown hair. 

“ And you are really glad, Bicky, sincerely glad, 
to see me again ? ” 

She bent her little head back and gazed full into 
his eyes. Her whole soul lay like an open book in 
this sweet, beaming glance. “ How can you even ask 
such a question ? ” she said, affectionately, somewhat 
more softly than before ; “ as though 3^ou should not 
know your old friend better than that, who always 
loved you better than any one else in the house from 
the very beginning of our acquaintance up to the 
present day. Yes, it is so, and you need not look so 
strangely at me I It is the truth, even though it may 
sound very foolish for a young girl like me to like a 
great, giant-like man like you.” And Bicky shook 
the hair out of her glowing face, and laughed roguish- 
ly at him. “ And only think, in my anger I called 
you an impudent thing, and felt like scratching your 
eyes out for rescuing my braid. Thanks, was it not? 
But how can it be possible ? O, what a stupid thing 
— I am blind and deaf, too ! ” And again she threw 
her arms about his neck. Then, stepping a pace or 
two back, she gazed at him from head to foot. “ You 
have changed immensely, my dear cousin,” shaking 
her head apologetically. “ You were not so handsome, 
either, as you are now, and, as far as I can remember, 
you did not have that mustache.” 

Janek seized both of her hands. “ Why did a cruel 
fate compel me to hide myself from this single and 
only delightful flowret that bloomed in my child- 
hood’s home? And how blissful the certainty of a 
place in this dear little heart and head.” 

“ And did you know me immediately? ” 

There lay something in the voice of the little 
maiden that made the young man involuntarily laugh. 


160 


POLISH BLOOD. 


He slowly shook his head, while his glance passed 
over her face and figure, as though he would draw a 
parallel between the past and the present. 

In his memory there lived a wild, romping child, 
with short hair, and a real baby physiognomy ; and 
now there stood before him a slender, medium-sized 
figure, in form that of the full-blown rose, but re^ 
pressed into the unpretending covering of the bud — 
fresh, charming, and full of the witchery of youth. 
It is true, a round, child-like face, with a pert little 
snub-nose, and a not very small, but very red month, 
and the most charming of dimples in chin and cheeks, 
stood smiling at him : but the great brown eyes 
seemed deep, mysterious seas, in whose secret depths 
there rested the golden treasures of a soul which often 
in beams and flashes betrayed itself in the bewitching 
struggle between maiden and child. 

“ No, Beatrice, I should not have recognized you,” 
he replied, “ if I had not met you in the house and 
been already announced by the servant. You have 
become quite a young lady, and, I should think, 
quite a belle ; and as an old friend and cousin, how 
proud I shall be to assert my claim in society.” 

Her great brown eyes beamed upon him, and sigh- 
ing deeply she seized both of his hands and drew him 
to her side on the blue damask divan in the corner. 

“ Oh, if you really knew, dear Janek, how often I 
have longed for you ! How often I have thought of 
you as a deliverer to help me out of my trouble, or, 
at least, as a comforter and fellow-sufferer to sympa- 
thize with me.” 

Out of trouble ? Who could or would dare 
cause my little Bicky sorrow ? ” 

Her gaze fell. “ You must not ‘ say little Bicky.’ 
dear Janek. ^ That sounds just as though I were still 
a child, and it is more than a year since I was con- 
firmed ! ” 

A roguish expression passed over his face, and 
then he became perfectly solemn. “ No, no, my little 
cousin, that sounds very audacious indeed, and it is 


POLISH BLOOD. 


161 


heretical for me to entertain such a thought. To 
strangers of course, you have long been a person to 
command respect to myself, I seem to be so very 
ancient, when I look back years ago, when little 
Bicky gazed upon me with the same dear eyes, just 
as the big Bicky of to-day. Therefore I hope you 
will make an exception of me if I sometimes forget.” 

Her face beamed with pleasure. Oh, if every- 
body were as good as you, Janek, what a beautiful 
world this would be. Then it would not be neces- 
sary for me to sit too near the fire ; then I would be 
gloriously happy ! ” 

The servant appeared, dragging King Knave 
through the door of the adjoining room. Proczna 
arose and pointed toward the corridor. 

“ Have the kindness to hold that villain firmly in 
the vestibule. I shall be there in a few moments, and 
wish then to be announced to the Baron and Bar- 
oness Von Drach.” 

Bicky dried her eyes. “ Have you seen Xenia ? ” 

Janek bowed, and the servant, by the sweat of his 
brow, succeeded in forcing the resisting setter over 
the threshold. Then Janek turned again to Beatrice, 
with an earnest look, and laid his hand on her little 
head. 

“ Who knows, my little Bicky, whether we shall 
ever have another opportunity to chat as undisturbed 
as on this moment. You have some sorrow upon 
your heart. Confess it now to me, if you think my 
confidence worthy, and that I have sufficient influence 
to dry your tears. Think of me as the Janek of long 
ago, who used to take you upon his knee and coni- 
fort you whenever your young heart was troubled ! ” 

Bicky swallowed convulsively her tears. 

“ Ah, yes, dear Janek,” nodding her little head 
defiantly, and speaking with passionate bitterness. 
“ We two always were the step-children — unhappy, 
neglected step-children, for whom no one in the 
world cared ! When you were little, they hated you 
and drove you from home, and me, they stick in the 


162 


POLISH BLOOD. 


comer. O, Lord, if I were only under the sod, and 
dead! ” 

The whole impetuosity of her nature seemed to burst 
forth ; like the fountain dammed up for years with- 
in its rocky prison, and at last, foaming and boiling, 
bursts through into bright sunlight — so gushed the 
words from her lips until they choked in tears, 
which rolled unrestrainedly down her cheeks. 

A singular expression, a mixture of laughter and 
melancholy, passed over the young man’s counte- 
nance. He gently loosened her two hands from her 
face. 

“ Who has treated my darling so badly ? People 
in society ? Xenia’s friends ? or — ” 

“ Society ? Xenia’s friends ? ” Beatrice rose with 
flashing eyes, and twirled her handkerchief round 
her finger. “ O, gracious I What are you thinking 
about, Janek ? That is just the trouble — they do not 
take me into society at all, but hide me away in the 
nursery, to keep me a baby, just because mamma is 
ashamed to acknowledge she has such a large daugh- 
ter. You need not shake your head, Janek. I know 
it only too well, and feel it, too, that I am a superflu- 
ous creature ; everyone makes me feel it — even he I ” 

“ He ? ” Proczna looked up quickly. Light seemed 
to be dawning upon the affair. “ What ‘ he’, Bicky ? 
Uncle Drach ? ” 

She shook her head almost angrily. “ Papa ? No. 
He is the best of all,” she cried with glowing cheeks. 
“ But Donat ! — He treats me more like a child 
than any one else, and it is harder to bear from him 
than any one else. It wounds me to the very mar- 
row of my being, — I, and I — think I will fly out 
of my skin when I think of it.” 

“ Donat ? Is that Prince Heller-Hiiningen ? ” 

“ No I he is a sheep I ” and Beatrice stamped with 
her little foot as energetically as possible upon the 
carpet, and contemptuously curled her lips. “ He is 
conceited enough to think Xenia will marry him ? 
and, don’t you think, she does not even put his 


POLISH BLOOD. 


163 


flowers in water. She love any one ! If I were 
Donat I know what I would do. I would be much 
too proud to run after her every day with bouquets 
and go out riding with her. Oh, how that does pro- 
voke me, Janek ; how enraged it does make me. Of 
course I am frightfully indifferent toward Donat, and 
yet I am so angry at him — angry . . . . ! ” And 
Becky coiled her handkerchief tightly and drew it 
lengthwise through her trembling fingers. 

“ H’m — is he so very indifferent to you ? . . but 
are you not mistaken — are you certain that he is 
courting Xenia ? You certainly can know very little 
about it, here in the nursery, when he visits her and 
takes her flowers.” 

“ Oh ! how smart you are ! ” and the little thing 
turned up her little nose triumphantly. “ I stand and 
watch every morning at the window until he comes, 
and then I run down on the staircase to see whether 
he has not dropped a flower. He always carries his 
bouquets in such a foolish fashion ! swings them 
around as recklessly, it is a wonder they have a leaf 
left on them. I tell you, Janek, I hate that Donat ! ” 

It required considerable self-control for Janek to 
maintain an earnest mien. “ Of course you do — any 
one would hate a man that swings his bouquets around 
in such a reckless fashion ! ” 

“ Oh, gracious ! No. That is only a mere second- 
ary consideration.” Bicky drew eagerly nearer, 
and gazed with glowing face up at him. “ But do 
you know I think the maddest thing he does is to 
completely ignore me, as though I were not in the 
world at all, or such a mere child that I am net worth 
speaking about ? He asks me whether I would like 
to have a doll for Christmas and pulls my braid — Ah, 
Janek, this braid will be the death of me yet. I can- 
not tell you how he tortures and torments me about 
it. And I know very well that I shall have no peace 
in this world until this detestable rat-tail is done 
away with I ” 

Aha ! A ray of intelligence danced in Proezna’^ 


164 


POLISH BLOOD. 


roguish eyes. “And that was your reason for singe- 
ing it ? ” 

Bicky nodded earnestly : “Yes, what else could 
I do ? I dared not cut it off, nor arrange it in a dif- 
ferent manner. I tell you, Janek, I am an unhappy 
enslaved being ! Then the brilliant thought oc- 
curred to me to burn it off, and here you came be- 
tween and spoilt the whole thing.” 

With a mournful air she picked up the knot of 
ribbon. “ Only see how nicely it had begun to 
burn ! ” 

Janek arose. “ God be praised, Bicky, that I pre- 
served this most beautiful of all ornaments. Only 
be comforted; you have made me your confidant and 
told me your sorrow. Who knows but I may find 
ways and means less dangerous to relieve you of all 
your trouble — if only to torment that Donat. We 
must revenge ourselves on him.” 

Beaming witli joy Beatrice clung to the speaker, 
and like April weather her face exchanged its clouds 
for sunshine. 

“ You will help me, Janek ? Oh, you darling, yon 
best of all ; I felt it, I knew that we two would keep 
together, that my deliverer would come. . . . 

Ah, and Donat. . . . But won’t he open his eyes 

wide ? ” 

“ I shall take good care that the detestable creat- 
ure opens them wide with astonishment, and he shall 
be well punished for all his misdeeds.” 

Proczna with difficulty maintained an earnest mien 
under the scrutinizing, and for a moment somewhat 
distrustful glance of the young lady, and continued 
lightly : “ I know his blond Highness — he is a very 
homely creature ! — an expressionless face ! ” 

“ Homely ? ” Beatrice stared at her deliverer as 
though he suddenly changed his language to that of 
the Hottentot tongue. “ But, Janek, you certainly 
must mean some one else ; our Donat is handsome — 
handsome as a picture.” A smile of inspiration 
illumined her features. “ I have never seen a second 


POLISH BLOOD. 


165 


such face in my life ! And — detestable ? No, you 
cannot call him detestable either. I assure you 
everybody finds him delightful, and if he were only 
just a little bit nicer to me — if he would only once 
. . . Ah, Janek, if I only were a lady in society, then 
he would respect me, and not look over me in that 
impudent way. Then I know I certainly would not 
hate him. Nor would you hate him. Oh, dear, 
wouldn’t we all like one another then ! ” 

But why did this tall man suddenly look so pierc- 
• ingly at her, and smile so strangely ? 

Beatrice picked 'up the book which she in her em- 
barrassment let fall to the floor, and quickly added, 
“ Of course, you know he is related to us — and of 
course we could afford to be good to him — even 
though I am so frightfully indifferent to him. Don’t 
you think so ? ” 

“ Yes, frightfully indifferent,” said Janek, nodding 
and extending his hand. “We shall at least endure 
his presence in our vicinity, if he promises to behave 
in a charming and respectful manner, and until then 
adieu, my little conspirator. I hope I shall soon 
meet you again, but without the braid, and with 
trained robe. But you must then consider that a 
great bar will be raised between us and the past, and 
that to the eyes of the world I shall be a stranger who 
is very unwelcome to your family. You understand 
very well the condition of affairs, and you will 

act accordingly. If we see each other again we will 
be very cold and ceremonious. It will then be Mr. 
Proczna and Miss Drach.” 

An expression of deep pain passed over the little 
face as she raised her eyes reproachfully to his face. 
“ Treat you coldly ? . . . You ceremoniously?” 

He pressed her hand warmly. “ Only with the 
lips — our hearts will remain the same. Good-bye, 
my little cousin ; this hour has been like refreshing 
dew to the withered, frozen garland, the tDountess 
Dynar wreathed her ‘ Welcome.’ It has worked a 
miracle, and the red roses are fresh and blooming 


166 


POLISH BLOOD. 


again. God bless you, Beatrice, for your kind, kind 
words.” 

And bowing hastily, he kissed the little hand and 
turned quickly toward the door. 

Beatrice stood for a moment perfectly beside her- 
self ; a kiss on her hand ... a real kiss on her hand, 
as though she were a lady in society — the second one 
lately, too ! 

She felt like shouting aloud in her delight. With 
a heart trembling with happiness she impetuously 
opened wide her arms. “ And shall be cold and 
formal to you ! Not if it cost me my life ! You are 
no stranger to me, but my only, only friend in God’s 
wide world.” . . . 

At this moment Baron Von Drach came out of the 
vestibule to meet his ward. His pale face glowed 
with pleasure as he extended both hands to the 
adopted son of his old friend. 

“ Janek, my dear Janek,” he stammered, “what a 
surprise,” and hastily drawing Proczna by the arm, 
he drew him past the servant into a salon near by. 
There he pressed the young man in sincere affection 
to his breast. 

“ Do not regard me as a foolish old fellow, Janek,” 
he said hastily, “and do not blame me for throwing 
aside all ceremony. God knows whether I shall ever 
see you alone again, and honestly show you how very, 
very glad I am to see you again.” 

And really there shimmered something moist in 
the old eyes, and the wasted form seemed really to 
grow up under Proczna’s imposing figure. 

“ My best, my dearest uncle ! ” 

“ You must know, Janek, that I always meant 
well by you, and for peace’s sake I assumed a pleas- 
ant face to some disagreeable things.” 

“ That was very evident to me in the kindly lines 
you often sent me, for which I now thank you from 
my whole heart.” 

Baron Von Drach rubbed his hands together as 
though he had done a cunning thing. “ Yes, and it 


POLISH BLOOD. 


1 G 7 


all happened behind Xenia’s back. She hadn’t the 
slightest idea that we corresponded now and then, 
nor was i b necessary for her to know it — if she should 

but you know what whims she has? . . . But, 

the devil, what is it to me, if you two disagree ! 
What is it to me who your parents were, or whether 
your blood is blue or red? For me you are the 
adopted son of the dearest friend of my youth, and, 
therefore, are you dear to me, and no one shall loosen 
the tie. You rogue ! even though you do stand there 
with your dignified air, and your kid gloves on. . . . 
You blockhead ! Now that we are unobserved. I 
am simply Uncle Drach, and you, Janek — basta ! ” 

And he wrung his hands again and again, and 
Janek, deeply moved, pressed the old man’s hand to 
his lips. 

“ As God wills it, my dear uncle, and I hope the 
time may come when no woman will have the power 
to bring a cloud between our hearts. Believe me 
when I say that the singer Proczna has had many a 
welcome, but never one that touched his heart like 
this.” 

“ What a great, what a celebrated man you have 
become,” and the Lord Chancellor stepped several 
paces back, and gazed at his ward with a tender and 
admiring glance. “ What 3^ou have made out of the 
simple Lieutenant of the Cuirassier Guards, and what 
a bitter drop you have brewed in your proud cousin’s 
cup of happiness ! I tell you, you have no idea what 
an assassin 3^ou have been, and God forgive me for 
my malice, but whenever I read an3" praise in the 
newspapers about the singer Proczna, I managed to 
smuggle it into Xenia’s fingers and then laughed like 
the devil in my sleeves.” 

“Xenia is still the same?” added Janek, seating 
himself at his guardian’s side. 

“ God pity her ! Yes.” 

“ And your wife. Aunt Clara?” 

Drach sighed deeply. “A perfect imitation. She 
copies her admired niece in everything ; even petri- 


168 


POLISH BLOOD. 


fies herself into the same statue of lofty contempt as 
Xenia. The cold mask sometimes drops from her 
face, and I really believe she is very unhappy in her 
r61e. Think of it : my vivacious, quicksilvery wife a 
walking Niobe I Dreadful. She hasn’t the least 
talent for it ! ” 

Janek laughed. “ Do you think she will receive 
me? ” 

The Lord Chamberlain, very much embarrassed, 
passed his hand over his bald head. 

“ H’m ... I . . . I hope for the best. You 
will be obliged to wait some little time. She will 
first inform herself about you from Xenia ... if she 
considers your visit presuming . . . then ... I fear 
Clara will have the headache.” 

Again some thing quivered about Janek’s mouth. 
“ And when she appears I suppose she comes as the 
reflection of the Dynar sun. Let us hold our thumbs, 
dear uncle, in order that they may brew no thunder- 
storms above.” 

“ Hush, for God’s sake ; she is coming.” The old 
gentleman hastily changed his seat some distance 
away from Janek, and assumed a very formal air. 
“ I shall appear very formal toward you, my dear 
fellow. You understand ... for sweet peace’s 
sake,” he whispered. 

The folding doors were thrown open, and Madame 
Clara Von Drach swept into the apartment. 

At a single glance Janek recognized his little op- 
ponent from the tips of her delicate little feet to the 
crown of her curly brown head; unchanged, just as 
she was when he last saw her, was the somewhat vol- 
uptuous and matronly image of his little friend 
Beatrice. 

The rosy, plump face prophesied sunshine. Janek 
bowed low before the wife of his guardian, whom he 
for years had been accustomed to call Aunt Clara. 

“ Janek Proczna ! . . . our old friend Janek ! ” said 
she somewhat more rapidly than usual, but at the 
same time full of studied dignity, as she approached 


POLISH BLOOD. 


169 


liim and graciously extended her hand to be kissed. 

With wild, staring eyes the Lord Chamberlain 
gazed upon this unexpected performance. 

“And we really meet again, you bird of passage ? 

The Baroness smiled very graciously, yet with an 
air mingled with condescension, and pointed to a chair 
opposite her, and then seated herself by her husband. 

“ And how kind it was of you to assure me in 
white and black, through your visiting card, that it 
was reall} yourself. I certainly should not have rec- 
ognized our slender student of long ago.” The 
glance that accompanied these words stamped them 
as a significant compliment. 

Proczna’s teeth shone white through his dark mus- 
tache. “ Time has its special favorites, my lady, over 
whom his days pass without leaving a trace, and he 
thereby equalizes many an injustice shown us here 
below. You, no doubt, would have passed me by un- 
recognized, but I would have barred your way, for al- 
though I have changed much, you. Baroness, have 
remained so perfectly the same that the past and 
present unite in you with charming constancy.” 

“Oh, you flatterer!” and Baroness Von Drach, 
forgetting her paragon, laughed with considerable 
animation. “You still believe you are sitting in a 
Parisian salon.” 

“ Certainly ; in that of Ninon de L’ Enclos ! The 
temptation is so very strong.” 

MS chant ! You must remember I have grown 
children.” 

“ All the more appropriate my comparison, and all 
the more precarious for your children.” 

“ I detest Ninon I She was a heartless coquette ! ” 

“ You judge her most too harshly, my dear 
madame.” 

“ Ah I I begin to comprehend your taste.” 

“ As I make my spechil bow to 3^our taste I hope, 
Baroness, 3’ou will approve of mine. But I do not 
speak of exceptions, but of the general rule. If I 
were called upon to name woman’s highest calling in 


170 


POLISH BLOOD. 


life it would be, ‘She must please.’ What woman 
has the power to control a man’s heart, and exercise 
a good influence upon it, who does not enlist every 
fiber, nerve of her own in the service ? Unamiable, 
homely women — I mean a kind of homeliness which 
is the result of carelessness of the exterior being — 
stupid women, of course, cannot be loved ; and yet 
I consider it the duty of every woman to make her- 
self loved. The rigid, proud, and often over-prudish 
sense of propriety of the German woman causes her 
to treat with contempt those little accessories she 
calls coquetry. She even believes she has committed 
an unpardonable sin if she allows the ice of formality 
which, like a coat of mail envelopes her nature, to 
melt in the least. She is as unapproachable as a por- 
trait of a saint, and every smile is a condescension.” 

“ And do you believe that the pride and dignity of 
the woman exercise no influence upon the lords of 
creation ? ” The Baroness looked really alarmed and 
a hot flush ran to her cheeks as she incredulously 
shook her head. 

“Pardon, your ladyship, I beg not to be misunder- 
stood. Dignity and noble pride are decidedl}^ the 
crown of all womanliness, but not all that is neces- 
sary. Think, if to this severe, golden diadem, before 
which man’s knee in reverence bows, there be added 
the flashing jewels of charming sweetness, enticing 
attractions, ardent devotion, and then say yourself 
whether these added ornaments be not enough to hold 
both heart and soul with their captivating fetters.” 

“ Certainly — I understand you . . . but what do 
you mean by little accessories which we despise ? ” 

“ Those little tasteful arts with which the French 
lady adorns her person. She expends painful care 
upon her toilet, and would rather die than a man’s 
eye — no matter whose— should surprise her in an un- 
becoming situation or attire, and she never regards a 
little artifice beneath her, if it serve as a foil to her 
personality ! . . . Let me give you an example : T knew 
a very aristocrat lady in Paris who married very 


POLISH BLOOD. 


171 


young, and soon had a grown daughter. They resem- 
bled each other very closely ; when the mother was in 
the full bloom of her beauty, la petite was just about 
to unfold hers. A German lady would have kept her 
young daughter at her books with her governess, from 
fear of subjecting the early ripened bud all too soon 
to the poisonous breath of the world. A French lady, 
on the contrary, more egotistical, would not have 
used as much circumspection. The Marquise de H. 
commands all the sixteen-year-old maidens to her side, 
in order to celebrate a double triumph I ” 

“ Double triumph ? ” The Baroness was breath- 
less, dumb with astonishment. 

“ Certainly, my dear Madame ! Can there be a more 
charming sight than that of a mother and daughter 
taken for sisters, or a greater triumph for the beauty 
of a married lady than to be favorably compared with 
a young girl?” Janek said this lightly, in the same 
tone that he uttered all his words. Yet his keen 
glance sought to pierce the innermost soul of his lis- 
tener to read the effect of his comparison. 

The Baroness looked warm. She leaned back with 
an expression on her face, as though a great, great 
enigma had been suddenly made clear to her ; then 
with a short laugh she said, “No, these French 
ladies ! — Impossible ! We German ladies would never 
entertain such an idea for a moment! You are really 
delightful, amusing, dear Janek and you must tell me 
a great deal about Paris. Paris ! Mon Dieu! We 
become really moldy here in our Siberia ! I hope 
you will remain some time with us.” 

Proczna shrugged his shoulders and smiled. He 
glanced over at the Lord Chamberlain, who, silent and 
filled with consternation, sat beside his wife as though 
the lightning was playing before him. 

“Where so many and such attractive flowers are 
to be found in a circle, it would be difficult for the 
most restless butterfly to tear itself away I ” 

“ Have you already seen Beatrice ? ” 

“ Only for a moment, and that through the setter 


172 


POLISH BLOOD. 


King Knave. When you entered the room, I thought 
for a moment that I was again in the presence of my 
little friend ! ” 

The Baroness threatened him, but by no means 
severely, “Madame Marquise von H. ?” 

“It would give me great pleasure to gaze upon 
your charming counterpart again. ” 

“ What would you say, you flatterer, if I were to 
tell you that I, poor woman, am forced to introduce 
my little Bicky into society to-morrow evening ? My 
husband insists upon it — not I, for, thank Heaven, I 
am a thoroughly German mother — is it not so, my 
dear husband?” 

The Lord Chamberlain started as though from out 
a dream. 

“ Certainly, my dear — of course you are ! ” nod- 
ding with an expression of the greatest surprise on 
his face as though he were pleased that he really un- 
derstood anything. 

Janek rose. “ What would I say to it, my dear 
Baroness ? ” His countenance brightened as he bowed 
low to kiss the small white hand, “ Eureka., my heart 
would say, and I would not mourn for Paris as a lost 
Paradise, even with all its charms I ” 


CHAPTER XII. 

Through the trees, white and glistening, whose 
branches seemed to envelope Villa Florian in a snowy 
veil, streamed the light from the undraped windows, 
casting a rosy reflection on the white surface of the 
lawn. Servants in livery, holding flaming torches 
stood on both sides of the grand entrance, bowing 
before the guests of the Countess Dynar. 

At an unusually early hour the equipages began 
to roll before the portal. It seemed as though the 
fashionable world could scarcely wait for the hour to 
bring them face to face with this star of art, the 


POLISH BLOOD. 173 

charm of whose song had bound a half a world to 
Janek Proczna’s triumphal car. 

Tlie creme de la creme of society had already ap- 
peared in full numbers, long before the index of the 
clock announced the hour appointed. 

Her Excellency Von Gartner, the Countess Kany 
and Lieutenant von Flanders were the first of the 
“ curious,” whom Xenia had received in the salon. 

Madame Leonie had expended a refined, almost 
painful attention on her toilet, and as she embraced 
her hien aimee with her usual fascinating amiability, 
she cast a hurried glance in the great mirror opposite, 
which reflected the double image of the two beauti- 
ful, imposing figures. It must have been satisfactory, 
for the two sharp lines formed bn either side of 
Leonie’s little mouth, and they were always caba- 
listic signs of a secret triumph. 

The Baroness Von Drach in a toilet of delicate 
lilac velvet, more youthful and animated than usual, 
did the honors at Xenia’s side, and introduced her 
little daughter Beatrice to the ladies. 

“ My little sixteen-year-old daughter has suddenly 
sprung up over my head, and has conceived aspira- 
tions for the ball-room and a train,” she said, jest- 
ingly, with an expectant countenance. “ I shall ask 
permission to present Bicky this evening to her High- 
ness, and begin this evening my r61e of chaperone for 
the season.” 

“ Charmant ! what a delightful surprise ! ” nodded 
the Countess Kany, approvingly, as she permitted la 
'petite to kiss her hand. “You will thereby confer a 
great favor on our cavaliers, my dear Baroness, for 
there is such a leartli of young girls in our little 
circle.” 

Lieutenant Flanders bowed and smiled very oblig- 
ingly : “ As I was the first who had the pleasure of 
welcoming you, I have the preference before all my 
comrades, my dear young lady, and I take it as a 
good omen for our special friendship.” 

Bicky courtesied with glowing cheeks, and Madame 


174 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Leonie, drawing her away by the arm, smiled “ down 
into the very depths of her soul.” 

“ Your mamma is still much too young, and too 
much sought after at the Court balls, to chaperone 
her little daughter now ! Elderly ladies like myself 
have more time, so I advise you to cling to me ; you 
will not find a rival in me, as I have already deserted 
the field.” 

“ A warming-bottle and a fur-hood for the old 
lady,” cried Flanders, mischievously, pushing with 
anxious haste a seat toward her Excellency. 

The Baroness, taking the arm of her daughter said : 
“ Come, child — this handsome woman would be in 
purgatory ; she is only mocking your dear mamma ” — 
and she turned at the same time toward the door, 
just in time to greet with outstretched hands the 
Count and Countess Ettesbach. 

The Countess gazed upon the slender figure of 
Beatrice, which, in white embroidered dress and lilac 
ribbons, was as new as it was charming a figure in 
societ}^ 

“Your little daughter ?” she said, wonderingly, 
with as much naiv^t^ as she had at her command. 
“Is it possible, my dear Clara! You sympathetic 
soul, in your unselfishness you take upon yourself, 
at this early date, the r61e of a chaperone? But cer- 
tainly only for this evening ? ” 

The Baroness Von Drach’s smile was a mixture of 
irony and amusement. “ Aha ! she understood these 
little devices I ” she thought triumphantly, and added 
aloud : “ No, my dear friend, I send my birdlet forth 
fully fledged ! Beatrice is seventeen years old — the 
age at which I was a bride ! This is one of the conse- 
quences of an early marriage — one has finally a 
daughter, with whom one can vie as with a sister I ” 

The words were spoken sufficiently loud to be 
heard by those in the vicinity. The maid of honor 
felt a slight touch on her arm. “ Spiritus, do you 
notice anything ? Both in light lilac 1 ” whispered 
Leonie in her ear. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


175 


Then turning to the J^ord Chamberlain, who was 
engaged in conversation with her husband, she paid 
a dozen pretty compliments to the delightful “duet” 
which he in future would be called on to father. 

Baron Von Drach thanked her in the most courtly 
manner ; he seemed to have adorned his breast with 
all the orders he possessed as a coat of mail, in order 
to resist all assaults made upon him this evening. 

Baron Von Hoftraten led his “ better half ” toward 
the hostess. Behind her pressed a number of Ulan 
officers, among whom were Prince Heller-Hiiningen, 
who at the sight of Bicky clasped his hands together 
and exclaimed : “ What see I yonder in the moon- 

light — -a maiden pale and fair ! ” 

Beatrice was just about to turn upon him, with one 
of her angry expressions, as was her custom — “ I am 
no longer a child. I ffirbid anything of the kind ” — 
when ^he remembered she had resolved to ignore 
Monsieur Donat completely, and therefore she sim- 
ply made a little grimace and turned upon her heel. 

Countess Xenia stood directly under the chande- 
lier, surrounded by a circle of her guests. Her toilet 
was less becoming than usual, and a contrast to those 
of the other ladies, who evidently had made every 
effort to bear off the palm in this struggle for beauty 
and elegance. 

The Countess Dynar had chosen, for some unac- 
countable reason, a dark toilet — a deep blue velvet 
robe, over which fell a train of the same color, em- 
broidered in broad gold arabesques. Not an orna- 
ment shone upon her white neck ; nothing but pressed 
violets, in fragrant freshness, ornamented breast 
and hair. An almost rigid expression lay upon the 
pale countenance, and the dark eyes flashed now and 
then as though a nameless conflict were waging in 
her heart. 

Madame Leonie and the Countess Kany did not 
leave her side for a moment. 

“ Is it then really true, my dear Kany, that August 
Ferdinand will force upon us that Mrs. Gower ? ” 


176 


POLISH BLOOD. 


cried the Countess Ettesbach, with a very indignant 
countenance. “I really hope the person will not 
have the impudence to come ! ” 

The maid of honor shrugged her shoulders with 
an indefinable mein, while Xenia replied with an air 
of great indifference : “ Both of the Gowers have 

been invited. I sent them invitations, by special re- 
quest of his Royal Highness tlii, morning.” 

Excellency Von Gartner raised her beautiful head 
and exchanged a rapid glance with Flanders. “ His 
Highness does not seem to understand how little 
sympathy we all have with this lady, and in fact with 
her whole party. I for my part have an independent 
will, and I hope I do not stand alone in this opinion ; 
and if Mrs. Gower cannot perceive that she is super- 
fluous, it must be proven to her.” 

“Right — ^your opinion exactly,” applauded Flan- 
ders. ^ 

“ Was it not a laughable sight to see Madame 
Gower attired as the Maid of Dom Remy the other 
evening ? She a born Englishwoman ! Ha, ha ! ” 

Hiiningen shook his head eagerly. “ Pardon, my 
dear Countess, that is an error. Mrs. Lieutenant 
Gower was not the Maid of Dom Remy, but the Maid 
of Orleans.” 

A burst of laughter followed faux pas. 

“Vat lofly poy he is!” cried Madame Von Hof- 
traten tenderly, and Madame Ettesbach tapped his 
cheeks with her fan. “ Oh, you neatest of beauty 
patches ! A snow white lamb is raven black compared 
to you not to know they are one and the same person.” 

Only Madame Leonie’s face wore a derisive expres- 
sion, while Xenia, coloring deeply, pressed her lips 
closely together. 

But Donat, laughing, half vexatiously, half sportive- 
ly, raised his hands deprecatingly toward the Countess 
Dynar. “ Please, Xenia, no book in the morning — 
to-morrow will be love feast.” 

“ Good-evening, my darling I ” and the Princess 
Reuseck, in her endless train, swept toward Xenia, 


POLISH BLOOD. 


177 


and, giving her a half embrace, said: “Well ! where 
have you hidden the divine being? Are we not to 
have Janek Proczna until dessert? My ears were 
already on the alert on the stairway.” 

“Janek Proczna? Our artful little hostess invited 
him a half an hour later to give the servants timd 
to secure the silver,” giggled the maid of honor, 
drawing her little eyes together. 

“ Secure the silver ? Why so ? ” 

“ Va hanque ! ” hissed madame behind her fan. 

“Eh, Mon Dieu! Janek Proczna is a Pole, you 
know?” 

“ You are speaking enigmatically. Countess ! Please 
have some consideration for our weak understand- 
ings ! ” 

“Yes, it is difficult for us to comprehend — ” 

“ You surely do not wish to insinuate that the 
Poles have a talent for being light-fingered,” laughed 
Flanders, maliciously, and Madame Leonie, casting a 
glance at Xenia’s trembling lips, added to it, “ What 
new hon-motf We wait impatiently.” 

The maid of honor’s face contracted into a mass 
of wrinkles. 

“ An old story just occurred to me ” — and the fan- 
tastically ornamented head rocked to and fro on the 
crooked shoulders. “ A little anecdote which my 
papa liked to relate ! — ha, ha. He was one day in- 
vited to dine in company with a Pole, and a very 
aristocratic Pole at that, and when the w'ine had some- 
what loosened the tongue of the Lord Woywoden, he 
quietly stowed away his napkin and knife and fork 
in his pocket, thus proving the popular conviction, 
‘ De Pole is fateful, fateful as one tog, but he stheal 
a leetle — stheal a leetle, but dat makes noting.’ ” 

Again a perfect roar of laughter. Leonie and Flan- 
ders really threatened to suffocate but the Count- 
ess Ettesbach, Tarenberg, and several young 'officers 
opened a storm of defense, and swore there was noth- 
ing nobler than the charming, chivalric Janek Proczna. 

“But the Pole is nevertheless a Pole,” laughed the 
Melanie in return. 12 


1T8 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Xenia stared at the speaker with wide-open eyes. 
Every drop of blood seemed to desert her coun- 
tenance. Deep shadows seemed to undulate before 
her eyes. Then she fixed her gaze intuitively upon 
her Excellency Von Gartner. 

Her bosom rose with the emotion she felt. She 
drew her queenly form to its full height. Now she 
knew what hands had rolled the stones in her path- 
way, and behind which brow this, the most painful 
hour of her life, had been plotted ; and now she under- 
stood the motive of it. A singular calmness came 
over her, arming her for every new assault. 

The folding doors opened opposite to her and Janek 
Proczna entered the apartment. 

All eyes were turned upon him. The first view 
passed like an electric spark through the circle of 
ladies. 

Madame Leonie’s glance, like an arrow, fixed itself 
upon the blonde head that with cool politeness turned 
toward the new arrival, — not a nerve quivered in the 
countenance of the Countess Dynar. 

Her Excellency bit her lips, then she shook her 
head laughingly at the trio — Reuseck, Tarenberg and 
Ettesbach — who were expressing their delight with 
all tlie ndivSU oi three maidens in a boarding-school. 

The Ulanen officers who had been entertained at a 
princely breakfast but a few hours before, and had 
returned very much animated, now stormed to meet 
him with the cordial greeting one would salute an 
intimate friend. 

Prince Heller- Hiiningen, taking his arm, led him 
in triumph to Xenia, who, contrary to her custom, 
advanced several steps to meet him. 

“ I am exceedingly pleased that you have kept 
your word, and given me the pleasure of introducing 
you, in my house, to the sovereign authorities of our 
city.” 

She spoke in a clear, calm voice, accompanying her 
words with a smile, bordering on high favor and at the 
same time formal politeness. 


POLISH BLOOD, 


179 


Janek Proczna’s reply was short and polite, and 
he then greeted the Lord Chancellor, who concen- 
trated all his friendliness in the ends of his fingers, 
“ for sweet peace’s sake,” and made amends afterwards 
for the ceremonious welcome by a warm pressure of 
the hand. 

The Baroness Von Drach had no sooner noticed 
Proczna’s entrance, than she motioned Beatrice to 
her side, and gazing full of feverish expectation up 
at the celebrated man, she nodded almost familiarly, 
“ Madame the Marquise von H. wishes to present her 
compliments,” and she smiled with an air full of mys- 
tery, and Janek seconding her merriment, bowed 
over the little hand. 

“ I never in my life felt more like paying homage 
to the Marquise than this evening, and I beg that 
Madame the Marquise and her young daughter will 
permit me to lay my enthusiastic acknowledgment at 
their feet.” 

How delightfully interesting this sounded ! . . . And 
the Baroness’s glance triumphantly made the rounds 
of the circle, “did you hear it? Now puzzle your 
brains over the Marquise von H.” 

Bicky made a solemn courtesy, while a suppressed 
smile trembled about her lips, and the rapid glance 
she exchanged with the singer Proczna contained a 
whole volume of conspiracy. 

At this moment the Lord Chancellor touched Janek 
lightly on the arm, with the request to introduce him 
to the guests. The Pole passed slowly with the 
Baron Von Drach from one lady to another, greeting 
them mostly with a smile or in silence with an incli- 
nation of the head, until Madam Von Hoftraten, more 
cordial than graceful, bid him welcome with a hearty 
shake of the hand. “ I vas werry glat to see you in 
dis blase. I hope you pring us some goot prandy aus 
Paris to fill de leetle pottles; I no take the vash 
vatter.” 

Janek laughed with her, and for the first time 
gazed somewhat interested into the face of his vis-a^ 


180 


POLISH BLOOD. 


vis. It was evident that the wife of the Captain of 
the Guards was quite an original character. 

“Excellency Von Gartner,” continued the Lord 
Chamberlain, with his stereotyped condescension in 
voice and gesture. 

Janek’s dark lashes veiled his eyes for a moment. 
Before him glistened a charming toilet of shimmering 
gold, upon whose satin folds hovered innumerable 
humming birds. He saw an arm white and smooth 
as polished marble, a hand that with the fan sank 
carelessly to the side, and he was about to pass on 
with a short salutation. Suddenly something flashed 
in the air and fell clattering to the floor. A bracelet 
had loosened itself from her Excellency’s arm, and 
rolled directly toward Proczna’s feet. 

•With graceful precipitation the Pole secured it 
and handed it to the wife of the Lord Chancellor. 
For a moment eye gazed into eye. 

Like a stream of fire her glance seemed to glow 
through his veins ; not since the last time he had been 
applauded in the VariStSs de Paris had woman’s eye 
given Iiim such a greeting. 

Excellency Von Gartner was a dangerous beauty. 
Countess Xenia was the only one that had noticed 
the occurrence. 

At that nioment a servant announced that the car- 
riage of the royal pair had just passed the portal. 
The Countess Kany immediately betook herself into 
the ante-chamber, and the compaii}^, in noiseless haste, 
ordered itself in the accustomed manner to receive 
the princely pair upon their entrance. 

Anna Regina, on the arm of her distinguished con- 
sort, entered the apartment. 

Like a delicate butterfly, intoxicated with fra- 
grance, she seemed to hover at the side of the tall, 
cavalier form of the Prince, upon whose breast flashed 
the star of his royal house, and whose head, with its 
energetic features, short cut beard and natural dig- 
nity, fairly throned upon his broad shoulders. 

The noble pair were followed by the Countess 


POLISH BLOOD. 


181 


Kaiiy and Lieutenant Gower, the personal adjutant 
of the Prince, together with his 3’oiing wife, a slender, 
pale lady with an English air. 

August Ferdinand’s glance passed pleasantly round 
the circle of well known faces and rested finally in 
close scrutiny upon Janek Proczna, whose eyes, full 
of calm confidence, frankly met his gaze. A smile of 
sympathetic kindliness lighted up the countenance of 
his Royal Highness. 

“ You have prepared a pleasurable surprise for us 
this evening, my dear Countess,” he said, pressing 
her hand warmly. “ Like little children who see the 
mysterious light of the Christmas tree through the 
Ice^-hole, we are burning with impatience.” 

Countess Dynar looked him firmly in the eyes. 
“Yes, your Royal Highness!” she answered in a 
louder tone than usual. “I certainly have planned 
a surprise, and I believe there will be much more 
than was expected — by many, like the child at the 
Christmas table that wished a great deal, and received 
more than it expected. It often happens that an un- 
looked-for present gives greater pleasure to the one 
that bestows than the one that receives.” 

Her Excellency paid close attention, but his High- 
ness shook his head jestingly, accompanying it with 
a gesture : “ Surely you are not alluding to the rod ? 
You know there are those that are ornamented with 
spangles and gay ribbons that look exceedingly harm- 
less — until one feels them I ” 

Leonie’s eye flashed. “ And then it is too late to 
escape their obtrusiveness,” she interposed with a 
harmless little laugh, “ for they leave scars.” 

Xenia la ughed and shrugged her shoulders. “ Only 
upon those backs that creep cowardly in crooked 
paths to their goal,” she replied with ironical sever- 
ity. “ I have never had any fear of that ominous 
‘ birchen-rod,’ although I firmly believe in a Nemesis 
that morally' deals out punishment to grown-up 
children.” 

“ Great heavens ! my little Countess, how you do 
philosophize,” 


182 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Delightful comedy ! ” laughed her Excellency, 
frantically waving her fan and receding a step or 
so, in order to make way for Anna Regina, who, after 
greeting the Baroness Von Drach and the Princess 
Reuseck, turned again toward Xenia. 

With a questioning, almost shy glance up into her 
husband’s thoughtful countenance, she laid her hand 
gently on Xenia’s arm. “ Are we not to have some 
music, ma chert ? I would be very much pleased to 
make Janek Proczna’s acquaintance.” 

“ With your Highness’ permission, I will present 
him personally ! ” and with proudly uplifted head 
Xenia passed through the little circle, across the 
salon to the singer, who sat chatting in low tones 
with Bicky in a retired nook of the bay-window. 

Madame Leonie’s hand pressed the Countess 
Kany’s arm convulsively. Their glances followed 
the queenly form, saw her exchange a few words 
with the Pole, — then Proczna smiled, bowed in ac- 
quiescence and extended his hand to the Countess. 

Calm and proud Xenia led him toward the princely 
pair, her haughty glance passed over the company, 
that divided to make way for them. 

“ With your Highness’s permission, I present the 
artist, Janek Proczna, and at the same time the 
adopted son of my deceased father. Count Hans- 
Stefan Von Dynar, your Royal Highness.” 

Calmly and distinctly Xenia spoke these words. 
Her glance, contemptuous and mocking, fell upon 
Leonie. 

A low, confused murmur like the sudden breaking 
of the waves upon the shore, surged through the as- 
sembled guests, interbroken by the more forcible than 
elegant expression of Madame Hoftraten : “ Vots dat ! 
Donner ! ” which d tempo in low cries expressed the 
boundless astonishment of the Countesses Tarenberg 
and Ettesbach. 

August Ferdinand, not less surprised than the 
greater number of those present, stared at the speaker 
as though she were a vision, and hastily repeated; 


POLISH BLOOD. 


183 


“Your brother, Countess? Janek Proczna your 
brother? ” And without awaiting an answer he ex- 
tended his hand with the most amiable cordiality and 
bid him welcome. ^ 

Janek bowed low over the extended hand of the 
speaker, and defended his pseudonym with ready 
wit. He then turned with the confidence of a polished 
cavalier toward Anna Regina, to whom he was pre- 
sented by the Prince. 

A feeling of deep sympathy overcame him as the 
soft brown eyes, helpless and childlike, anxiously 
gazed up into his face. It seemed as though he held 
a young bird in his hand, whose little heart he could 
hear beat. 

In Janek Proczna’s wandering through the world, 
he had learned to know people ; his sight had be- 
come so sharpened that it pierced the mask and outer 
gloss down into the very depths of a soul. Like an 
open book Anna Regina’s countenance lay before his 
mental vision, and the title of the romance which ap- 
pealed to him so mournfully and entreatiiigly, stim- 
ulated him not to turn over its leaves hastily, but to 
study it carefully, page for page. 

Anna Regina did not dream that the sight of her 
pale face,- and her timid greeting of welcome, had 
enlisted the most celebrated man of his times in her 
favor, and that he in his heart had promised to de- 
fend her, long before he knew whether the Consort 
of August Ferdinand had enemies against whom she 
was obliged to defend herself. 

The ladies of the regiment surrounded the young 
Count Von Dynar, and fairly showered compliments 
upon him ; the officers of the “ feudal arms ” full of 
enthusiasm opened their aristocratic arms, and re- 
ceived him as a friend and a comrade. Uncle Drach 
was so confused with delight that he drank his tea 
without sugar for the first time in his life. 

August Ferdinand pressed Xenia’s hand the second 
time, and said jestingly: “I doff my hat to your sur- 
prises, Countess ! If the subject of our former con- 


184 


POLISH BLOOD. 


versation had reference to your adopted brother, it 
must have been in the sense of a sugar-coated rod ! 
Behold the moths and the butterflies are already 
chained and delivered in captivity.” 

Xenia’s answer sounded absent-minded. From 
the moment Janek Proczna had taken her right hand, 
the bright red band burned again upon it ; again that 
blow of the whip, which like corroding poison had 
gnawed at her proud heart. . . . Mechanically she 
rubbed the velvety soft skin, as though she would 
expunge the stain from memory. 

Janek Proczna’s merry laugh sounded in her ears. 
. . . The cuckoo lay in the nest — forever in the 

nest. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

August Ferdinand led Janek Proczna to the 
piano, with the request that he delight the expectant 
audience with a musical pearl from his rich repertoire. 

With as much ease as though he were among 
intimate friends of long years standing, the Lord of 
Proczna seated himself at the piano and ran his 
fingers over the keys. 

“ Where is the music ? ” asked Uncle Drach, full 
of feverish eagerness, circling the instrument as the 
satellites their fixed stars, — “ Where is it ? Who has 
taken it away ? ” 

“ I thank you a thousand times, my dear uncle. 
I never burden myself with over-freight in traveling, 
and, like the barnyard fowl, close my eyes and sing, 
because I know my song by heart.” 

“ I sing like the bird that in the branches dwells,” 
quoted the Countess Ettesbach with counterfeit 
pathos and a languishing glance; and August Fer- 
dinand added in his charming manner, “ If you need 
an accompaniment by master hands, my dear Count, 
I am convinced that Madame Lieutenant Gower will 


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POLISH BLOOD, 


185 


support you most ably. I know her to be an artiste.” 
And he nodded most graciously to the lady, who, 
with her husband, stood somewhat isolated to one 
side. 

A delicate blush overspread the countenance of 
the young English lady ; her long lashes sank upon 
her cheeks as she bowed her thanks. “ What an incor- 
rigible banterer his Highness is,” said her Excellency 
Von Gartner, accompanying the sarcasm with a more 
than offensive glance. The tone fell like a blight 
upon the only little blossoms of kindliness that had 
been extended to her that evening. 

Janek’s gaze passed from one lady to the other, 
while a meaning smile played about his mouth, and 
rising he again with a low bow, made his acknowl- 
edgment to Madame Gower. 

Then his fingers glided preludingly over the keys. 

Anna Regina had taken a seat and motioned Xenia 
and Madame Leonie to take their places on either 
side of her. With hands in her lap, and closed fan, 
she listened like one entranced to the most delight- 
ful of all voices, which, carolling forth in joyous 
notes like spring’s jubilee to the Creator, pealed 
quivering with ecstasy through the salons. 

Proczna closed with a ringing accord, that died 
softly away and seemed to blend with the air. Then 
rising, he turned with a smile to his audience. 

For a moment his gaze rested on Xenia’s low-bowed 
•head, then passed on to Anna Regina and to Madame 
Gartner. There it rested. A flood of inspiration 
seemed to surge about him ; all hands — ^but two — 
broke forth in stormy applause, but the sister of the 
celebrated man sat as motionless as though she had 
turned to stone. Her glance wandered over the 
white wafer lilies that seemed to swim on the golden 
surface at her feet. 

“ Do you not approve. Countess ? ” was hissed into 
her ear. 

She raised her eyes slowly and encountered the 
leering face of the maid of honor, that bent over 
her shoulder. 


186 


POLISH BLOOD, 


“ Why the question ? ” 

“You spare your gloves and do not applaud.” 

“ Tliat would be carrying owls to Athens.” A cool 
smile passed over the face of the Countess, and with 
a penetrating glance she said : “ A Pole will always 
be a Pole. I shall first count my silver spoons before 
I think of bestowing laurels.” 

“ Heaven have mercy upon us, my love ! You 
certainly were not offended at my little jest ? But 
that comes from playing hide and go seek with people 
who conceal their nearest relatives under a covered 
dish. Whoever dreamed that you were so nearly 
related to the immortal hero ? ” 

“ Janek Proczna belongs neither to my near nor dis- 
tant relatives. Not a drop of blood in my veins has 
anything in common with his.” 

“ Ah, just so. . . . but he is really of Polish origin ? 
I thought that was mere gossip. . . . but very interest- 
ing,” and the Countess Kany stepped back several 
paces and joined the circle that surrounded Count 
Dynar, and said, laughing, in a high key,“ I have just 
learned from Countess Xenia that you, most envied 
of mortals, are of Polish nationality ! Has fate, then, 
strewn your pathway with her rarest gifts, to make 
you the most interesting of mortals ? The Poles are 
for me an exceedingly sympathetic people. I know no 
more delightful poetry than that which waves with 
the fallen banner above the ruins of Ostrolenkas.” 

Madame Von Hoftraten’s mouth and eyes opened 
wide with astonishment. “Vat a beeg, beeg sthory 
dat vas,” came forcibly and sincerely from her lips. 

“You are a Pole!” Her Excellency Von Gartner 
started as though electrified, and gazed ardently into 
his eyes. Then drawing a fine golden chain from 
her bosom she shook the small gold medals that hung 
from it laughingly toward the young man. “ See what 
sympathy there is between us. Ever since my school- 
girl ravings for August the Strong I have borne this 
picture of my ideal for good luck upon my heart.” 

Madame Leoiiie almost blushed under the glance 
that rewarded her. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


187 


Janek bowed, and taking the medal in his hand, 
he looked at it a moment and then said : “ How fortu- 
nate it is for me. Excellency, that my adoration for this 
representative of the noblest valor has taken such 
firm root that even jealousy cannot uproot it ! I am 
not envious, but proud of the distinction you have 
shown him, and I kiss the fair hand, in the name of 
King August, that preserves next to her heart a mem- 
ory of him.” 

“So he vas gaptured,” laughed Madame Von 
Hoftraten, giving the Countess Ettesbach a nudge 
with her elbow, “ latys, vipe you moufs — de Pole vas 
gobble ub, you no get one taste.” 

“ But tell us, my dear Countess, what hidden ties 
bind our heaven-favored guest with your family ? ” 
asked August Ferdinand, stroking his beard slowly, 
as was his custom, and gazing pleasantly at Xenia. 
“ Are you related to your foster-brother, although he 
is of Polish extraction ? ” 

All pressed eagerly forward to listen. With a mix- 
ture of humor and mischief, Janek leaned gracefully 
upon his chair to hear her reply. 

For a second Xenia bit her lips, then turning 
her beautiful face, with an expression of poorly- 
disguised indifference upon it, she sent a threatening 
glance at Proczna. 

“ Your Royal Highness expects to hear, no doubt, 
a very interesting chapter out of the Dynar family 
history,” she said, with an attempt at jesting, “ and 
will probably be disappointed to learn that the enigma 
may admit of the simplest solution. Our respective 
genealogical trees do not show the slightest trace of 
blood relationship. He is a Pole and I am a German. 
Our fathers were, nevertheless, I believe, intimate 
friends and papa adopted Hans-Stefan to preserve our 
ancient name from becoming extinct.” 

A low laugh interrupted her. “ How cruel you are, 
Xenia ! ” Janek drew himself up and gazed firmly into 
her eyes with an expression of calm defiance upon 
his manly countenance. “ You have made no men- 


188 


POLISH PLOOD. 


tion of the most interesting part of my biography, 
and without which one might draw an incorrect in- 
ference of my personality. I know that you are not 
thoroughly informed, and shall therefore give the 
necessary details myself. Your Royal Highness, the 
history of my youth is the only part of it that makes 
me proud, for it offers the material which is necessary 
for the existence of a romantic concert singer.” 

“ It must be perfectly charming. Please tell us all 
about it,” nodded the Prince eagerly, while the Coun- 
tess Kany sent a leering glance into Xenia’s coun- 
tenance, and then joined with the other ladies in a 
stormy entreaty to hear the rest. 

“Your Excellency will, as a friend of the Poles 
and a lover of real romance, take a special interest in 
my destiny ! ” laughed Janek, with an air of osten- 
sible gallantry toward Leonie, who in reply, fastened 
the medaille of August the Strong on her bosom, as 
though it were an order, and then turned with charm- 
ing humor toward August Ferdinand : “ Will your 
Royal Highness look upon this apparently highly 
sensational picture? In the solitude of the East 
Prussian steppes there lies an ancient tower-crowned 
castle. A fierce snow-storm howls about its walls 
and sends the tall pines in splinters to the ground. 
Neither moon nor star lessens the dismal gloom of the 
night and solitude. Struggling through the cold and 
snow press two wanderers toward the light in the 
castle windows. A man wraps his dying child in his 
ragged cloak ; a woman with faltering steps follows, 
misery unto death — ragged, freezing, despairing — 
Polish refugees. The castle opens its portals and 
hospitably receives them. The Count, with noble 
generosity, takes the son of the insurgent to his breast 
and promises to be a father to him until the fugitive 
dare return — until the day of freedom shall dawn — 
until a new king shall rule again over the ruins of 
Ostrolenkas ! The son of this beggar, and rebel, to 
whom Destiny gave a new country, the coronet of a 
count, laurels as a substitute for a lost father, who 


POLISH BLOOD. 


189 


cannot deny his restless Polish blood, and who 
wanders singing through the world — the envied, and 
yet unfortunate one — is Janek Proczna, the foster 
brother of the Countess Dynar.” 

_ He turned his piercing glance upon Xenia’s beau- 
tiful face. He had waited to see her turn pale, as 
she had done before when he cast her wealth and 
titles at her feet, and with a strong hand rent the ties 
in twain that she wished to cement in fetters. He 
was mistaken. She stood, indeed, as though turned 
to stone, yet the expression of her face did not har- 
monize with her attitude, for in it was depicted 
boundless astonishment, and her glance, which met 
his for a second, flashed with admiration. 

She stepped to his side, and, turning with a smile 
to August Ferdinand : “ I hope your Royal Highness 
will receive my foster brother in our circle with the 
same grace and kindness as though he were a born 
Dynar, and accord the same confidence to the Pole as 
to a German representative of my name, for I can 
assure you that his ‘ restless Polish blood ’ pulses in 
a true German heart.” 

The Prince looked pleased in the highest degree. 
“Your assurance of that is hardly necessary. Count- 
ess ! Janek Proczna with his sad history is far 
more interesting to me than the Count’s own son, 
who would have been, perhaps, content with his 
coronet without the laurel. And as for his German 
heart?” August Ferdinand extended his hand to 
the young man, and gazed firmly and kindly into his 
eyes. “ Well, I think he who has the pride and the 
courage to rise above the roots of a common origin 
and become a noble tree in another land, is worthy 
of a name and all the ties that bind him to his second 
fatherland.” 

The conversation turned again upon the subject of 
music. 

Anna Regina, with much enthusiasm, asked for 
her favorite composition, “There is no rose without 
its thorn.” 


190 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Janek stepped to the piano and gave a few chords 
of the melody. Full and powerful swelled the chords 
from under his hands, then softly and mournfully, as 
the plaint of an unutterable sorrow, Proczna intoned 
the favorite song of the Princess. 

Leaning upon Madame Leonie’s arm stood the 
noble lady listening as though in a dream. 

When he had finished her eye was moist and the 
expression of her countenance was changed ; not 
a lineament betrayed the shy, depressed creature 
of a few moments before — the child had become a 
woman. 

“Will you remain some time with us?” asked her 
Excellency. “It is the wish of my royal patroness 
that you remain in our midst for several weeks .... 
Not so, your Highness, and are you not accustomed 
to have your requests as promptly obeyed as a com- 
mand ? ” 

There was something exceedingly hard in the tone 
of her Excellency’s voice, as though she were con- 
trolling the Princess, thought Janek. 

The charming expression of the Princess’ face had 
disappeared. Surprised, almost alarmed, she gazed 
up into the face of her beautiful friend. . . . “ But, 
my dear Excellency, ... I beg of you ... in mercy’s 
name . . . Mr. Proczna is very well aware, I. am sure, 
that his presence would please me, but for me to be 
the cause of it . . . No, I certainly should not be 
guilty of such a lack of delicacy,” and she glanced 
hurriedly toward August Ferdinand, to see whether 
he were a listener to the conversation. 

“ That would be no lack of delicacy, but simply 
an honorable distinction for the singer of 3^011 r favor 
ite songs,” replied Madame Von Gartner, with much 
apparent indifference, but at the same time with 
much determination. “ Why conceal your sympa- 
thies ? I know them very well, and repeat again 
the invitation in your name.” 

Anna Kegina’s eyes turned appealingly to the piti- 
less countenance of the speaker, and with trembling 


POLISH BLOOD. 


191 


lips attempted to jest. “ Alia, because 3*011 have 
chosen August the Strong as your bright particular 
star, I am to provide you with his whole court ! 
Very adroit of you, my little friend, to press Anna 
Regina forward in your favor.” 

“And if it were the case, your Highness, have I ever 
refused you a favor ? ” Leonie’s voice sounded as 
sharp as a knife ; then laughing graciousl}^, “ Janek 
Proczna’s songs have charmed me, and as I do 
not for a mdment think that this most celebrated of 
the celebrated will listen to the prayer of the simple 
Excellency Von Gartner, in revenge I borrow 3*our 
purple, your Highness, to blind the e3^es of the vain 
young man. And now, your Highness, do I call 
upon your generosity in vain ? ” 

A deadly pallor lay upon the countenance of the 
Princess, and her lips trembled convulsively ; before, 
however, she could reply, Janek Proczna, who had 
been a silent witness in the conversation, turned to 
Leonie and jestingly replied : 

“ And shall I accept so poor a testimonial, and even 
undersign it as a success ? How kind and gracious 
of 3*our Highness to spare me the moral handcuffs. 
Polish blood is much too fiery and defiant to permit any 
constraint even that of gallantry, to subject it. I must 
come and go as planless as the comet in the heavens, 
this image of the true artist. ... To flash forth sud- 
denly in magical splendor and then to disappear, sink- 
ing into the darkness of the universe — fettered by noth- 
ing unless it be by the law of attraction. The purple 
of a world cannot bind an artist of such a comet-like 
nature, but the bright^beams of a beautiful eye, that 
starry banner of a woman’s favor, might hold him 
captive. If the walls of this northern Babel should 
hold me imprisoned, it would be beauty’s charm, 
and not vanity’s that would celebrate a victory. 
Therefore I beg your Excellency not to give the im- 
pression that I remain by a special invitation of her 
Highness, as it would be the surest means to drive 
me away.” 


192 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Janek smiled and bowed low before the Princess. 
His eye rested searchingly upon her countenance. 
He had not erred. Anna Regina, as though relieved 
of great agony, gazed up into his face ; her little hand 
extended itself, tremblingly, half way toward him, and 
her eyes beamed with gratitude. 

Janek Proczna felt as though he had deciphered 
the first page of Anna Regina’s life history, and it 
seemed to him as though he had found therein the 
threads which would lead to the solution of the mys- 
tery. 

In a window niche stood Bicky, motionless as a 
statue, gazing at Cousin Donat, who was hovering 
round Xenia like a butterfly round a rose. 

A shadow lay upon the fresh young face. She 
had formed a very different opinion of what it was to 
be a great lady in society. That the noble ladies and 
gentlemen treated her very friendly, that the ladies 
nodded now and then to her, and the gentlemen re- 
lated comic anecdotes to her, were matters of perfect 
indifference to her. It did not seem to be the pur- 
pose of society at all; she wanted to have a long and 
earnest conversation with Donat, and wished him to 
treat her just as he did Xenia — and he scarcely saw 
her at all, much less paid court to her. In going by 
he pinched her on the arm, blinked his eyes at her, 
or acted as though he would spring over her train — 
and then gazed at it as though he would expire with 
laughter. 

Ah, his outrageous behavior had not improved at 
all. One time when he slily pulled her braid, she 
had called him “ Impudent fellow ” because she was 
very angry, and after that he never troubled himself 
about her any more. That became in time unbearable. 
She did not mean to be so bad as that, and would 
willingly recall the words if he would only come 
back ! But he did not come. And then besides, 
just a short time before Janek sang a fi-ightfully sad 
song, all about “ Thorns and Roses,” and separation, 
^nd ‘‘ A Slender Maid.”. . , Bicky of course was not 


POLISH BLOOD. 


193 


a very slender maid, but a decided “ double peony,” 
as Donat said, and everything was wrong with her, 
and at that the bright tears came into her eyes. 

“ Why so thoughtful, little Bicky ? ” said a voice 
at her side. 

With a mournful countenance, Beatrice turned 
toward the questioner. 

“Ah, my dear, good Janek, he does not trouble 
himself in the least about me ! ” 

Proczna knew in a moment who was meant. 

“ That is indeed outrageous ! I shall cite Mon- 
sieur to-morrow before the civil authorities ! To- 
morrow, at nine, after coffee, he shall be hanged.” 

The little one looked up somewhat mistrustfully. 
“ I insulted him fearfully, but not intentionally. It 
came out before I thought.” 

“ Zounds ! What did you say to him ? ” 

Bicky gazed at the floor. “I’ll tell you in the 
morning ; that hateful Flanders is looking at us and 
listening. Do you know what he looks like ? ” 
“Well?” 

“ Like a jack of clubs ; and then he limps, too, at 
that.” 

The Lord of Proczna laughed aloud with amuse- 
ment. “ Well, he is one Cousin Donat will not be 
inclined to call out! Apropos, I see the aforesaid in- 
dividual giving audience to his own thoughts ; how 
would it be if I were to give him, in your name, my 
fearful opinion of him ? ” 

Bicky paled with fear. “ You certainly would not 
do him any harm, Janek?” 

“ Heaven forbid. I shall only wring his' neck I ” 

It was well that his roguish laugh betrayed him, 
for Beatrice was about to scream. She understood 
the jest, and laughed with him. “ I am perfectly in- 
different to the creature — in fact, I hate him — but 
yet I am sorry that I offended him so fearfully. 
Listen, Janek, go and see whether he is angry at me 
forever. Won’t you?” 

Prince Heller-Hiiningen stood twirling his mus- 

13 


194 


POLISH BLOOD. 


tache, Xenia had evidently piqued him by a long 
lecture on the subject of the “ Maid of Dom Remy.” 
He meditated over it. In the meanwhile Proczna 
sang lachrymose, a song about roses, and thorns, and 
something else, which would have been very pretty, 
if matters had not gone wrong with the slender maid. 
A singular song. Aufond he understood very little 
about it, for unfortunately music had always been 
his weak side. Bicky stood staring in the corner, 
and seemed to be just as miserable as himself, which 
was a certain satisfaction to him. Just at that mo- 
ment Count Dynar ended his song and received the 
homage of the company. He seemed to prefer the 
beautiful Madame Von Gartner, who coquetted out- 
rageously with him. Xenia seemed to grow more 
quiet and reserved, and her thoughts often appeared 
far away from the conversation. 

Donat felt as though he were the only musical 
monster in the salon. 

In order to be engaged at something he tasted the 
delicacies which were continually passed to the guests 
on silver salvers. A hand was laid upon his shoulder. 
Proczna stood behind him, and greeted him with a 
foaming glass of champagne. “ My dear Prince, join 
me in a glass to the health of the Queen Rose ! ” 
Hiiningen laughed gayly. “ The one you carry on 
your crest is not my choice.” 

“ Maybe mine is set with thorns.” 

“ Mon Dieu. I do not think you can complain of 
them.” 

Janek shrugged his shoulders. “ On the contrary, 
I consider myself very fortunate. He who has trav- 
eled the world over and plucked the flowers of all 
lands, knows how to prize that most delightful of all 
charms, the rose’s thorn. I love the sword in man’s 
hand as much as the flashing challenge of woman’s 
beautiful eye ; both spur me on to win the victory.” 

‘‘ But, Mon Dieu., I do not understand you. Has 
any lady here cut you ? ” 

“ Cut me ? If glances were stabs you would read 
my obituary in the morning paper.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


195 


“ Zounds ! Tell all about it— Madame Leonie ? ” 
and Donat, intensely interested, pressed a step 
nearer. 

Count Dynar laughed lightly. “ Madame Leonie ! 
No. I never pulled Madame Leonie’s braid.” 

“ Bicky ? ” Hiiningen looked disappointed. “ Oh, 
she does not count.” 

Janek, with an indefinable expression, laid his hand 
upon the young officer’s shoulder. “ Pray that the 
Lord will have mercy on you for being so utterly de- 
void of taste — out of style — blind ! ” he said, jestingly, 
with a mixture of humor and pathos. “ My dear 
Hiiningen, you certainly cannot be in earnest when 
you overlook so charming a little creature as Beatrice, 
or perhaps you are only fishing on the sly, and are 
simply waiting to see all the rest eager for the flash- 
ing coquile before you draw up the pearl yourself. 

The solution of an enigma was unfortunately an- 
other one of the Prince’s weak sides ; he gazed at the 
speaker as though he had given him a state secret in 
the Turkish language. 

“Well, I hope we shall not be rivals, your High- 
ness,” continued Janek, in a lower voice ; “ your in- 
credulous expression would indicate that the little 
sixteen-year-old maiden had already the palm of vic- 
tory in her hand. But open your eyes and gaze 
round the salon, and see whether there is a lady in 
the field that displays more gracious thorns than 
Bicky ? ” 

“But tell me, by all that’s good in the world ” — 
Very much interested, Donat wanted to continue the 
subject, but Proczna had turned toward the ladies of 
the regiment, who stormed him with a thousand 
questions. 

“ Tell us, is it really so, that you were the Ex- 
presse’s favorite?’’ inquired the Countess Ettesbach, 
with the most navffitd she could command. 

“ Of course I was. She wrapped a handkerchief 
round my neck every time it was windy out of 
doors.” 


196 


POLISH BLOOD. 


MSchant.^ but you surely received several or- 
ders?” 

“ Certainly I every morning a new one while I was 
at coffee.” 

“You are only mocking us ! I shall ask still more 
indiscreet questions,” laughed the Countess Taren- 
berg, raising her little snub nose with charming im- 
pudence. “ I know very well what you did with all 
the rosy billets doux that you received — kept your 
fire burning.” 

“ No ! I do protest against any such charge,” 
said Janek, raising his hand with an earnest mien ; 
“ I gave them a nobler fate.” 

“ Indeed, and how so ? ” 

Breathless attention. — 

“ I have made an agreement with the King of 
Italy to heat Vesuvius with them.” 

“ Veil ! dat tells de sthory uf der poor teufel. He 
get one pain und sphit em out,” observed Madame 
Von Hoftraten, with her accustomed dryness, which 
was followed by a burst of laughter from the whole 
circle. 

At that moment a servant threw open the folding 
doors of an adjoining salon, and the steward announced 
to the Countess Dynar that supper was served. 

Her excellency Von Gartner, who was standing 
next to the Princess, whispered several words in her 
ear behind her fan. 

Anna Regina, with a trembling voice commanded 
Count Dynar to her side. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

August Feedinand looked astonished at his 
young wife, who, contrar}^ to the innate delicacy of 
her nature, had just committed so serious a breach of 
table etiquette. 

As she avoided his eyes, and Prince Reuseck^ who 


POLISH BLOOD. 


197 


on all other occasions occupied the seat at the left of 
the Princess, stepped aside, with a long face, his 
Royal Highness turned jestingly to the latter gentle- 
man and said : “ Honor to whom honor is due, my 
dear Reuseck ! Apollo and not Mars will stand to- 
night first in council with the gods ; and ‘ what a 
woman wills, God wills,’ as one says in France. JEh 
hien.f let noble art for once be mistress of ceremonies, 
at the festal board ! ” And the Prince, in his most 
charming manner, pointed to a seat at Anna Regina’s 
right for the commander of the regiment, and then 
placed himself vis-a-vis between Madame Von Drach 
and the Countess Dyiiar. 

There reigned an unrestrained, almost hilarious 
tone at the end of the costly decorated board, where 
Madame Von Hoftraten, Countess Ettesbach and Tar- 
enberg, with the youngest lieutenants, had estab- 
lished their exclusive corner. 

“ Youngens, 3^ou teep your glass too motch. You 
get a ret nose like de rhooster,” resounded Madame 
Von Hoftraten’s Holland throat in motherly warning, 
like a trumpet through the sudden stillness, while 
Countess Tarenberg’s clear organ rose still higher as 
she amused herself over the Prodigal Son Myer, who 
had boldly plucked the apple-blossoms from her shoul- 
der bouquet with which to make a love token in his 
champagne glass. Mad idea . . . Bicky with glow- 
ing cheeks looked on and learned. 

“ I pring de leetle colt unter my ving,” said 
Madame Von Hoftraten, giving Madame Drach a 
good sound rap on the shoulder with her fan. “ Ven 
de corn is poot in de crip de vild stheed keek mit de 
feet vorwarts and packvards like mad, von mus den 
put de bit on dem.” Madame Von Hoftraten gen- 
erally expressed herself in cavalry similes. 

It appeared a matter of course that Madame Von 
Gartner should be placed at Janek Proczna’s side, 
and perfectly in order that the artist should pay her 
his most gallant attention. 

The Ulanen Regiment Band played in an adjoin- 


198 


POLISH BLOOD. 


ing salon, and drowned now and then the conversa- 
tion completely. At the same time the satin fan in 
the hands of the beautiful w’oman rustled and swayed 
to and fro like the reeds on the shores of the fatal 
sea, to warn the wanderer of the wicked charmer’s 
power. 

As though in a dream, Leonie turned her gaze upon 
him. 

“Do you know, Janek Proczna, that you are to 
bring misfortune upon me?” she asked in alow tone. 

“ Only so far, your Excellency, as the red roses 
which I shall strew at your feet may call the envious 
thorns into life.” 

She shook her head laughingly. “ Are you super- 
stitious ? ” 

“Yes; for I am gazing down into that sparkling 
mystery called a beautiful woman’s eyes, and I be- 
lieve them to be a deep, deep sea, out of which two 
white arms will rise to draw me down as their 
victim.” 

Leonie appeared not to notice his reply. Her 
dark lashes sank long upon her cheek, as she mechan- 
ically turned about her white arm the golden orna- 
ment now held but by the chain. 

“ Do you see ? The lock is broken — at the very 
moment you stepped before me, the little ring broke 
in two.” 

“And does that prophesy misfortune?” Janek 
bowed still lower over her. 

“ When I became engaged, my betrothed placed 
this bracelet upon my arm, closed it with a tiny key, 
which he wears to this hour upon his breast. ... A 
childish play, with a deep signification. This brace- 
let was given in the place of an engagement ring, 
and as long as it remains unopened upon the arm, 
just so long will love and happiness tarry in our 
home. 

A sudden burst of music flooded the salon like 
the onward roll of a sea’s wild billows. The flowers 
in the vases on the tables wafted to them their fra- 


POLISH BLOOD. 199 

graiice upon the air, the gold lace trembled on the 
dazzlingly white neck of the speaker. 

“ Broken fetters ! ” . . . Janek’s glance flew over 
to the bowed form of his Excellency, and then re- 
turned to the seductive woman at his side, and for a 
moment a singular expression rested upon his coun- 
tenance. “ The poor old King took unto himself a 
young wife ! ” . . . said he softly, There is a singu- 
lar charm in the old songs which speak of forbidden 
love and broken rings ! Happy the page who carries 
the train of the young Queen, breaks the chain upon 
her arm, and then dare die with her ! ” 

Leonie’s eyes glowed warmly, then her beautiful 
head sank upon her bosom. “ Happy the one who 
only knows this torturing poetry in songs ! ” she whis- 
pered low, ‘‘ why was the old King called poor, be- 
cause he took a young wife? Had Heine been able 
to gaze into the heart of that young Queen he would 
have pitied her more than the vain, gray-headed old 
egotist, who pressed the young spring to his breast 
without considering how i)itilessly every love blossom 
died from his icy kisses ! ” — 

Madame Von Gartner’s words were very expres- 
sive, and much more so the humid eyes that were 
turned appealingly toward Janek. Proczna under- 
stood their language, and had very often seen this 
drama of marital infidelity upon the French stage, 
and applauded it as a fine piece of finished acting. 

He seized his tall cliampagne glass and slowly 
raised it toward her Excellency. 

“ I commiserate no woman who is loved, and least 
of all the young Queen, who found a page young, 
strong, and inspired enough to break the fetter upon 
lier arm ! It sounds so sweet, and yet so sad. Long 
live this little ballad, Excellency ! ” 

There was something demoniac in the power of 
the voice of this man, who enslaved her senses in the 
net of his fascination, and then laughed at her . . . 
gayly. . . almost frivolously. Leonie’s respiration 
came short and fast. Yes, she understood it — she 


200 


POLISH BLOOD. 


felt it — she knew now why all Paris broke forth in 
acclamations before these glorious eyes, and paved 
the way of this man with red roses. And he, the 
god-like, the most celebrated man of Europe, sat at 
her side and whispered this ballad in her ear — “ It 
sounds so sweet, and yet so sad.” .... And a whirl- 
wind seemed to seize her thoughts. 

She glanced over at Xenia. She felt that her cool, 
star-like eyes were upon her, saw the flush on the 
Countess’s face as Janek lifted his glass and emptied 
it, ostensibly as a gallant attention to his neighbor 
. . . and a feeling of immeasurable triumph filled 
Leonie’s breast. The Lord of Proczna had glances 
for her only — for her alone. 

“ You certainly will remain — remain a long time 
here ? ” she asked, hastily. 

“Until you voluntarily loosen the fetters of en- 
chantment that bind me here,” he replied jestingly. 

“ Then may it be with you, as with the Emperor 
Henr}’, in Ilsenstein. Apropos ... if you should 
wish a favor or request, to gain which it would require 
all-powerful influence, please turn immediately to me, 
and I shall battle for whatever it may be and obtain 
it.” 

“ You are an intimate friend of the Princess ?” 

An expression of irony quivered about Leonie’s 
little mouth. 

“ At all events I possess some influence upon the 
naive little soul, and am, God be praised, generally 
at the right place, at the right time to play the r 61 e of 
a very necessary Providence.” 

“ Aha ! ” Count Dynar smiled, and stared for a 
second down into the depths of his pearling champagne. 
“ The key to her heart ? Very easily imagined, who 
would be able to withstand the charm of such loveli- 
ness as yours ! ” 

She gave a little, short laugh. “We women ex- 
ercise no charm upon one another ; at least none which 
leads to influence. With us it is only a question 
of ascendency. Between us there is no such thing as 


POLISH BLOOD. 


201 

harmonious clinging and submissive affection, but 
simply accommodation of self, over which hovers a 
moral knout.” 

“The right of might: and so the mind of woman 
has its tilting field, in which it makes itself master 
of others, and its gymnasium in which it forces its 
weaker opponents under its thumb. How willingly 
would any one bow the knee before you. Excel- 
lency ! ” 

Janek again turned the converstion into a jesting 
tone, while the cloud, which for a moment had gathered 
over his brow, disappeared without leaving a shadow. 

“ My dear Count ! ” cried August Ferdinand, laugh- 
ing across the table, “the Countess declares that her 
hair in her youth was a decided red — so red that 
one might light a match by it. Is this only a little 
coquetry or a fact ? ” 

Janek’s glance passed over Xenia’s head as he 
shrugged his shoulders undecidedly. 

“ Your Royal Highness, I must admit that I do not 
remember, so many, many years have passed since 
then. ... In my opinion red is always red, and blond, 
blond ; but I do not, unfortunately, understand these 
different German shades.” 

“That is very evident! . . . Excellency Von 
Gartner, if you still have a moment for your old 
friend, permit me to remind you of him in this 
glass ! ” 

The music resounded again through the salons, 
and the laughing voices mingled with the strains. 

It seemed as though a snowy atmosphere was blow- 
ing about Xenia, and yet it was very warm in the 
room, and the air so laden with the fragrance of the 
flowers that it was almost suffocating. 

Why must Janek Proczna give the seat of honor in 
his triumphal car to the only being whom the Count- 
ess Dynar despised — the one to whom she was least 
willing to allow the favor of being distinguished by 
him? . . . But was it really an honor or hai)pi- 

ness to receive homage from Janek Proczna, the con- 


202 


POLISH BLOOD. 


cert singer? Were these proud, haughty ladies, who 
considered it beneath their dignity to dance with 
an officer of the infantry, not become suddenly deaf 
and blind ? Were they not indeed mad to thus fairly 
pursue this son of a fugitive, whose title itself to mere 
consideration was doubtful? 

No, they were certainly not deaf, but they had al- 
lowed themselves to become bewitched by a feAv songs, 
a*nd in consequence joined with Madame Rumor in 
sounding the trumpet in his praise. 

Procznasang beautifully — wonderfully — but could 
one, for the sake of his songs, forget the singer and 
his origin ? . . . A Countess Dynar would never be 
able to do that. 

“ He is but a trumpeter . . . and yet I love him ! ” 
...?... came softly stealing on the air from the 
band. The blonde head sank low. “ Never. If he 
were only a cavalier, a hero of the Golden Fleece ” 
. . . Yes, then . . . then she would perhaps . . . 

How he laughed as he listened with glowing eyes 
to the words from the beautiful serpent at his side ; 
how she ensnared him with a thousand nets of her 
coquetry I . . . 

Anna Regina joined in the conversation ; even her 
pale little face flushed with pleasure, and even she 
became more animated than usual. 

“ I do not understand these German shades of 
hair.” 

Mocking laughter seemed to be buzzing by her 
ears, worse even than the cool, perfectly indifferent 
voice of the same person who had so lightly said : 
“Neither one will miss the other.” . . . No, he cer- 
tainly did not miss her. 

Xenia started up from her reflections. August 
Ferdinand turned to her with the question whether 
Proczna had a passion for the chase, as he thought of 
asking him to take part in a stag hunt. 

The supper was at an end. The guests stood chat- 
ting in little groups throughout the different salons. 

During the supper Donat had considerable time 


POLISH BLOOD. 


203 


for edifying and contemplative observations. He sat 
some distance from Bicky, but he could see and ob- 
serve her through the spaces between the table orna- 
ments. Proczna’s words had struck him much too 
forcibly to be immediately forgotten; he had re- 
flected upon them so long that their meaning had 
finally dawned upon him. 

It seemed exceedingly droll that he must suddenly 
be called upon to treat this little sixteen-year-old 
maiden as a lady ! Is she then really so charming as 
Proczna maintained? Of course, the lion of the day 
and the prot^g4 of the Empress Eugenie was a judge 
of feminine beauty ! . . . A little sixteen-year-old 
girl ! . . . H’m ! . . . Of course one of the latest 
Parisian whims — a haute nouveautS^ of which one had 
not as yet even dreamed of in Germany. 

Charmant.^ that Proczna had told a few tales out of 
school ! Prince Heller-Hiiningen was very proud of 
being called the most elegant and stylish officer of 
his regiment. He was the first to introduce English 
customs in regard to the race-horses, — the first shorn 
nag that appeared upon the turf bore the arms of the 
Prince in the corner of its saddle, he was the first 
to become a member of the jockey club, and to repre- 
sent the uniform of the Emperor Franz-Ulanen upon 
a foreign race-course. 

The newest perfume, whether English or Ameri- 
can, exhaled in Germany its premiire from the hand- 
kerchief of the Prince, and the newest friseur made 
his head a signal for general imitation, always “ (Tapres 
la derniire mode^"' but at the same time with no ex- 
travagance of taste, which so easily converts elegance 
into a caricature. 

And now a new war-cry resounded in Paris, under 
which jeunesBe dorSe broke their lance in defense 
of sixteen-year-old maidendom ! Brilliant, Heller- 
Hiiningen was again a lucky fellow I 

He bowed his handsome head, and gazed again 
through the branches of the silver table ornaments 


204 


POLISH BLOOD. 


over to the little lady who had the power to attract 
such a man as Proczna. 

And this was the rosebud with capricious thorns? 
— Donat had memorized these words of Janek’s, and 
again he gazed, for the first time most attentively, at 
his little Cousin Bicky. 

At Xenia’s side one could but compare her to a 
little guinea-fowl beside a golden-crowned swan, but 
she was in her way very engaging, fresh and as rosy 
as one of the little Borsdorfer apples on the fruit 
stand before her, tempting one continually to take a 
bite ! 

The young officer concluded to feel his way toward 
this object of Janek Proczna’s admiration, and, after 
supper to pay the little maiden his compliments, in a 
more marked manner than usual. He therefore 
raised his glass and nodded to Bicky. At first she 
did not see him, but after his wish had been tele- 
graphed down the table from mouth to mouth, she 
gazed hastily up, became as red as a cherry, while 
her little face fairly beamed with joy. After supper 
with affected nonchalance, the Prince meandered 
slowly toward her. 

Bicky stood behind her mother, at whose side she 
anxiously clung, and gazed toward him with girlish 
eagerness. 

“ May I kiss your hand, little cousin ? ” Donat’s 
spurs clinked together as he bowed his well friseured 
head and smiled in that charming manner which was 
peculiar to him. “ Why did you place yourself at 
such an immense distance from me at the table ? I 
could scarcely see you.” 

“ Yes, but you lifted your glass to me ! ” she 
replied, with undisguised joy, “ and wasn’t I fright- 
fully glad!” . 

“ Upon your word ? ” 

“Indeed! indeed! Because I saw you were not 
angry with me any longer.” 

“ I angry with you ? ” Donat’s teeth flashed white 
through his mustache, as they always did when he 


POLISH BLOOD. 


205 


was surprised. “ Then indeed I never have had a 

glimmer ! but please fire away, my little cousin, 

and tell me what you really mean ! ” 

“ And you don’t remember it ? ” Beatrice drew a 
long breath. “ Heaven be praised ! ! — I was so fright- 
fully rude to you ! ” 

‘‘ To me ? How charmant ! You dear little creature ! 
Come, now, confess your sins.” 

The little head sank. “ Are you sure you cannot 
remember a while ago — when you pulled my braid ? 
Don’t you know what I called you ? ” 

Donat had not the faintest recollection. “Well, 
what was it ? ” 

The chin sank still lower on her breast, while a deep 
blush mantled her cheek. “ You only pretend you 
don’t, Donat, and that makes me think that you really 
were deeply insulted — but really ” — the dark eyes 
were raised appealingly — “ I didn’t really mean as bad 
as I said, and even though I did say ‘ impudent fellow,’ 
it was only in ” — 

“Impudent fellow ! ’ And you called me ‘ impudent 
fellow ! ’ Ye gods ! but that is famous ! ” And Prince 
Heller-Hiiningen was fairly convulsed with laughter. 
“If Proczna only could hear this, how he would envy 

me, as though ! ‘ Impudent fellow ! ’ a la honne 

heure., little Bicky, you are a very charming little 
maiden ! ” 

With wide-open eyes she gazed at him, amazed 
at his extraordinary enjoyment of her naughtiness. 

“So you really, really didn’t take it amiss?” she 
asked again, surprised. 

He placed both hands upon the back of the chair 
and looked earnestly down into the little face. “On 
the contrary, I consider myself fortunate,” with a 
pathos that sounded strongly as though he had learned 
it by heart. “ Me who has traveled the world o’er, 
and plucked the flowers of all lands, knows how to 
prize that most delightful of all charms — the rose’s 
thorn. I love the sword in man’s hand as much 
as the flashing challenge of a beautiful sixteen 


206 


POLISH BLOOD. 


year-old maiden’s eye. Both spur me on to win the 
yictory.” 

“ But, Donat, I don’t know what you mean by all 
that.” 

“ Nor I,” thought Donat, as he tried to force 
himself to look wise. “ You will hear many a thing 
from my lips in the future which will give you cause 
for deep reflection.” 

Bicky clasped her little hands together, while in her 
countenance was depicted the deepest anxiety. “ Oh 
dear, No ! Dear Donat, please do not talk so incom- 
prehensibly. It is perfectly frightful for me to hear 
any one talk so wisely.” 

This was the first time that such a reproof had been 
made to the young Prince. Supercilious haughtiness 
flashed in his eye, and yet this naive admiration 
flattered his vanity to such a degree that he appeared 
to himself like a cat whose fur had been stroked the 
wrong way. 

A desperate thought flashed through his mind. He 
drew himself up to his full height, and with a stern 
expression of countenance gazed challengingly down 
upon the little maiden. “ Bicky, do you know who 
the Maid of Dom Remy was ? ” 

The little creature fairly gasped for breath. “ I 
shall ask Miss Davenport this evening,” she stam- 
mered. 

“ Bicky, — Do you know what a ‘ torso ’ is*" ” 

“No ! — In Heaven’s name what is it?” 

“ Bicky. ... Do you know where you will find 
‘ Emelie Galotti ? ’ ” 

“ For all I know at the Bremer Court-house.” 

At which, with an angry flash of her dark eyes, she 
shook her little head and stamped her little foot. 

“ You think you are going to examine me as 
though I were a student ? I want you to understand 
I am no longer a school child, and that I have 
finished my education. And even though you are 
so immensely Avise yourself, other people have no 
need of all your learning.” ... 


POLISH BLOOD. 


207 

The young officer’s breast expanded with a feeling 
of intense satisfaction. Here, at last, was one whom 
he could successfully examine — one who did not 
place herself before him and wring her hands, as 
Countess Xenia did, as though he were a Prodigal 
Son ! Here, at last, had he exchanged rOles, and 
Prince Heller-Huiiingen felt that he was reaping 
laurels in a field where before he had only plucked 
tliorns. He gazed down upon the defiant little lady 
with that irresistible expression that acted like a 
charm upon her. “ Shall I be your friend in future 
with whom you can confer when you wish to know 
sometliing ? ” he asked with an expression of counte- 
ance which visibly betrayed his amusement. 

She nodded hastily, in the greatest surprise. 

“ Bon.^ then I shall immediately place a conversa- 
tion lexicon before you, and then — --then shall I be 
able to tell you what is in a young girl’s mind when 
love awakes in her heart.” 

Janek Proczna made his way, with countless 
“ pardons,” through the trains which, like a brilliant 
mass of entangled tendrils, ensnared his feet. 

“ In which direction will you sound your trumpet, 
Count ? ” asked Anna Regina, laughing. 

“ From what I hear, Madame Gower is an accom- 
j^lished pianist, your Royal Highness ; it is my inten- 
tion to pay her my compliments, and beg pardon that 
it did not earlier occur. The fact that one cannot 
with a single glance pay homage to each single beauty 
upon the starry heaven must be my excuse ! ” 

The Princess nodded pleasantly, almost thankfully. 
Leonie, however, hastily approached, and laughing 
softly, yet sarcastically, said : “ Pay his compliments 
to Mrs. Gower ? Beg pardon of her ? ” She shook 
her handsome head. “ Listen to me a moment.” 

“ But, my dear Excellency, let him go ! The poor 
lady looks so isolated ! ” interceded Anna Regina, in 
an appealing tone. 

“ That is right, your Highness. We ought to let 
her sit there like the Seven of Trumps.” 


208 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Leonie had overheard Proczna’s remark. She 
turned toward the Piincess, with eyes big with as- 
tonishment, then bowing behind her fan, she whispered 
something in her ear. Janek understood word for 
word. “ I beg of your Highness most earnestly not 
to cross my plans, otherwise I shall offer no guaranty 
that the comedy of ‘ Don Cai los ’ will not be followed 
by a tragical example.” Then turning tlie pretty 
little head toward Proczna, she laughingly continued:. 
“Like the Seven of Trumps ! Well said! Let me 
communicate to you this new rule of the play, ‘ Check 
the Queen.’ ” 

Madam Von Gartner motioned with her fan for 
him to step to one side, and Janek bowed, casting a 
hurried glance at Anna Regina’s altered countenance, 
and followed her. 

“ I have no* time, mon ami ! ” said Leonie smiling, 
and gazing up into his countenance with dove-like 
innocence. “ You must sacrifice one short little hour 
for that purpose, and pass a tedious tete-a-tete with me 
in my boudoir. Will you come ? ” 

“ On the possibility of such a doubt you cannot 
believe yourself. Excellency ! ” he whispered with a 
reproachful glance. 

and when you come ... is it as a friend ? ” 

“ Friendship is a hateful, lukewarm word for one in 
whose veins hot Polish blood courses, and for one . . . 
who in all his wishes is indiscreet.” 

Upon Leonie’s breast trembled the golden lace, 
under which love and hatred alternately blazed up in 
hot flames. 

He smiled strangely. “ You steer your bark along 
only in the smooth waters of the shore, while the 
storm and the raging billows lure me out upon the 
high seas, your Excellency.” 

Her glance burned in his eyes. “ Oh, that I could 
find a pilot to steer me into the same element ! ” 

“ My course is wild and uncertain. Who ventures 
within my little boat must face the danger of the 
wrecking cliff, and sink perhaps rudderless within 


POLISH BLOOD. 


209 

the ocean’s depths. Have 3"ou the courage to under- 
take such a journey with me ? 

In the voice of the young man there was a tone of 
ironical challenge, but Leonie only saw his brilliant 
dark eyes, and they dulled her penetration. /. hot 
flush mantled her countenance ; she waved her hand, 
as though intoxicated with the fragrance of poisonous 
blossoms. 

“But take your songs with us on board, and the 
wind and waves will obey us ! . . . And now go, pay 
court to whom you wish, only not to Madame Gower ! ” 

“ Tell me briefly your reason,” he pleaded. 

“ Eh lien. Lieutenant Gower was appointed by 
the Prince to be his adjutant, contraiy to my wish, 
and that of the whole Ulanen regiment, and his con- 
sort, Madame Gower, in consequence forced into our 
exclusive circle. ” 

“ But Gower has the reputation of being an ex- 
ceedingly able and well qualified officer ! ” 

“ But, my dear Proczna, that is a matter of the ut- 
most indifference to me ! He may be in the service 
what he may, in the salon he is both awkward and 
tedious, which is enough to make him impossible 
society for us. As the man does not go of his own 
accord, it will be necessary to point the way, as you 
have observed. My good advice has been followed, 
and, as you see, the two Gowers were left sitting like 
the Seven of Trumps ! ” 

A low malicious chuckle, Janek, however, ap- 
plauded unconstrainedly. “ Brilliant, Excellency ! 
Your little intrigue is delightful, and you may con- 
sider me one of your most faithful allies ! Pardon — 
but whom shall we smuggle in upon the Prince to 
replace Mr. Gower ? ” 

“ My little friend Flanders, one who must be ad- 
vanced ! . . . I tell you he is a cavalier to his finger 
ends, and besides, a character who is equal to the 
important position and who will be of use to his 
friends.” 

“ And his other qualifications ? ” 

14 


210 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Leonie shrugged her shoulders. “ Mon Bleu,, what 
do I know ? . . . His squadron is distinguished upon 
the turf. . . he leaps the hurdles best of all . . . arranges 
balls and parties . . . and paints in aquarelle delight- 
fully . . . ever ready with the fan ! ” 

“ As a matter of course ! W ell, then, Flanders is 
the person to be hurled forward ! I am exactly of 
your opinion, Excellency. I shall summon all the 
malice of my nature and ponder upon a plan of 
action. Ah ! . . . An idea ; I shall criticise Madame 
Gower in such a manner that she will forget to re- 
turn ! At the next soiree musioale I shall ask her to 
accompany me on the piano, and then sing in such a 
manner as to confuse her. Then, of course, there 
will be a fiasco and a scene ! ” 

“ Superb, my dear Count ! A glorious idea,” 
cried her Excellency. “ The person will find gray 
hairs in her head in the morning.” 

“ See that she is invited, thou all-powerful.”, 

“ You may depend upon that ! ” 

The guests are taking their departure. “Well, 
then, until to-morrow, au revoir^ Excellency. My 
footsteps with my thoughts will turn toward you ! ” 
Xenia stood to receive the farewells of her guests. 
Janek was the last to incline himself before her. 
“ I am indebted to your amiability for a very agree- 
able evening, Xenia,” he said, pleasantly. “ I was 
not aware that this high, northern latitude had so 
warm a winter’s sun,” and at that his glance turned 
toward Leonie, who was just passing through the 
door. 

“ Beware of her. She blinds the eyes that gaze too 
long and trustfully into hers ! ” Very cool this re- 
mark sounded, and yet not exactly as others of its 
kind. 

“Do you, then, really take some interest in my 
fate ? ” . . . About his lips quivered something like 
mockery. 

“ Only in the sense of general philanthropy. If 
a beggar lay sleeping on the edge of a precipice, I 


POLISH BLOOD. 


211 


would have him wakened and warned of his dan- 
ger.” 

“ You would order it done for him, and you inter- 
est yourself personally in me ? . . . Do not forget, 
Countess Xenia, that under this fashionable costume 
only Polish blood circles in my veins, and behind the 
mask of this coronet only the sun of the insurgent 
and beggar is hidden ! ” 

He said this softly, and at the same time gazed 
openly and firmly into her eyes — then proudly rais- 
ing his handsome head, he turned toward the Drach 
family, all three of whom stepped forward and gave 
him a hearty and sincere invitation to regard their 
house as his home. Very much pleased, Janek ac- 
cepted the invitation with the assurance that he 
would seek his daily bread at their hands ; then 
he looked expectantly at Xenia. 

She had turned, without a word, to one side, and 
so they parted. 

With hasty steps, he sprang down the stairway. 
The most of the equipages had dashed out of sight, 
only Proczna’s elegant team, and the Gowers’ hired 
coach awaited them. 

The young English lady was about to step into 
the coach, and her husband to pay the coachman. A 
few hurried steps and Janek was at her side. “Allow 
me, my dear Madame, to assist you,” in his most 
amiable manner, and seized the little gloved hand, as 
he held the coach door open. Almost startled, she 
turned and looked at him. The light of the lantern 
fell Upon her pale little face^ streaming with tears. 

“ I beg a thousand times your pardon, my dear 
Madame, that I, at this late hour, approach you, and 
I hope you will permit me to make amends for my 
neglect by an early visit ... aw revoir ! ” And 
bowing, he drew the gentle lady’s hand to his lips, 
lifted his hat to the Adjutant, and then turned toward 
his own carriage. 

A scarcely audible, “ A thousand thanks I ” sounded 


212 


POLISH BLOOD. 


low on his ear, then the hoofs dashed over tlie stony 
streets. 

Proczna threw himself back in the swelling satin 
cushions, pressed his clinched hand to his brow, and 
stared out into the darkness. No morning sun as 
yet had risen for him, and yet it seemed as though 
there shimmered a faint promising glow through the 
night. 

The Countess Xenia, also stared with burning eyes 
up into the night sky. She stood in the bay-window, 
silence reigned about her ; vanished the guests and 
hushed the words and songs, which still faintly re- 
echoed, as though in a dream, through her soul. Oh, 
those sweet, those wonderful songs ! — Like dewdrops 
they had fallen upon her thirsting heart. ... At that 
moment a balm ; but for the long, still nights a 
gnawing poison and a consuming fire. 

Mechanically Xenia stepped to the piano, over 
whose pearly keys bis fingers had just glided, luring 
with his charm their sweetest music. Softly she 
passed her hand over them. Cold as ice were they 
to her touch. 

A beggar — the son of an insurgent ! 

Oh, yes, it required much courage, in the face of 
one of the most pronounced aristocracies of Europe, to 
acknowledge the truth with uplifted brow — much 
courage and much pride and much iron will to cast 
beneath his feet what the world regarded with an 
almost idolatrous worship. She still saw Janek 
Proczna before her eyes, the tall, cavalier form, the 
noble head, manly breast, that had scorned the orders, 
as though they were but chain — whose stars were 
but a common ore in comparison to the stream of 
golden notes that flowed from his throat. Why 
should this very man be the one to be raised from 
the dust, and why should this same one be laid at 
Count Dynar’s threshold ? 

A chill seemed to pass through the form of the 
dreamer. She turned her head and gazed around 
the salon. Entirely alone. Why should this feel- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


213 


ing come so suddenly upon her now ? Head she never 
before in life felt lonely and forsaken ? — Oh, yes ! 
once — at early dawn, when the Lord of Proczna 
passed out into the wide world — bold, defiant, deter- 
mined ; when this man before whom she was obliged 
to lower her gaze left her. Yes, then it was that the 
world seemed as empty and desolate as in this mo- 
ment. 

The wax-candles flickered and cast their shadows 
upon the white satin portieres. Light footsteps 
sounded behind her. 

Xenia shrank back like a timid child. The ser- 
vants started, confused upon seeing her. “ We were 
about to extinguish the lights, my lady.” 

The Countess motioned with her hand for them to 
proceed, and then wended her way toward her 
apartments. The violets in her hair were wilted, but 
deep down in her heart it seemed as though a tender 
green leaflet was struggling gently to raise its head 
like the sweet harbinger of the dawning spring above 
the ice and snow about it. 


CHAPTER XV. 

The Colonel of the Emperor Franz’s Ulanen, 
Prince Reuseck, was noted throughout the whole 
army for being an impassioned and superior horse- 
man, whose chief merit lay in the cultivation of this 
cavalier spirit in his regiment. His squadrons, mas- 
ters of their art, were renowned for their perform- 
ances. A wild, almost audacious spirit seemed to 
inspire both officers and men, and their different 
feats in horsemanship, which from time to time 
alarmed military circles, bordered upon the fabulous; 
that was the height to which the pride of the regi- 
ment soared. The officers made every effort to out- 


214 


POLISH BLOOD, 


strip one another, and the different companies to out- 
rival one another to meet the ever-increasing de- 
mands of their commander. 

What an intense satisfaction it was when the 
Ulanen of Franz Joseph, in the performance of some 
great maneuver, distinguished themselves before all 
others, when they made the impossible possible, and 
when one of the royal cavalry Generals nodded 
approvingly, and dubbed them “Reuseck’s mad, 
wild troop ! ” Then up and away like the wind I — 
forward ! through thick and thin, over ditches, 
hedges, and burning hurdles, Reuseck leads the 
van .... Hurrah for the Emperor Franz’s 
Ulanens ! 

The old equestrian school did not meet the de- 
mands of the regiment, and was therefore replaced 
by one more suitable, built by Prince Reuseck, for 
his private amusement. 

The great, empty building w^as converted into a 
kind of a cavaliy school, and used especially in 
winter for the trial of feats in horsemanship. Here, 
also, the officers and their ladies practiced their qua- 
drilles; here, miniature chase and stag-hunts were 
essayed, which later on in the season produced such 
great sensation upon the turf. 

Through the center of the great building ran a 
tolerably broad course, at the beginning of which 
was an inclined elevation from which the horses 
leaped. All the impediments found upon the open 
race-course were here ; first the hurdle, double 
hurdle, a wall, and finally the trench, the character 
of which indicated the exactions of the commander. 
Along the right wall extended a narrow rostrum, 
arranged for the exclusive public, which witnessed 
the exercises of the official corps. Through the long 
narrow windows, between which hung banners, 
shields and withered cedar garlands, the dust-covered 
emblems of the last costume-pot-pourri, the sun cast 
its bright bands of light, and enjoyed a short exist- 
ence. 


POLISB BLOOD. 


215 


Loud and merry laughter already began to sound 
through the course. 

A collection of the noblest race-horses danced over 
the soft ground; impatient pawing and neighing 
were heard in the vestibule, where the jockeys walked 
their full-maned charges, followed by the huge 
hounds, until the arrival of their masters. Quite a 
numerous company had already assembled, the door 
of the rostrum snapped continually ; equipages con- 
tinued to roll through the street. The Countess 
Kany, in a fiery red velvet hat, and high fur collar, 
arrived at the same time with Madame Gartner, and 
stepping to the wooden balustrade, to inspect the 
ground below, she nodded graciously in all directions 
down the course. 

Flanders saluted Leonie, and commanded an or- 
derly to bring chairs for the ladies, and for a moment 
took a seat at their side. 

Spurs clinked upon the narrow stairway. The 
Princess Reuseck, very much heated and covered 
with dust, with the train of her riding liabit over her 
arm, entered, followed by her husband and several 
officers, and with a loud groan of exhaustion sank 
down at the side of the maid of honor. 

“ Mon Bieu.^ my dearest Kany ! — Good morning, 
Excellency. Heaven be praised that I can bend the 
knee again! Two hours upon Satanella I . . . That 
is more than normal muscles can endure I — and 
at the same time as hungry as a lion ! — But go home 
for it? — Not for the world. And Proczna is to ap- 
pear upon the scene again.” 

“Have you smelling salts with you, your High- 
ness ? In case the immortal fellow should have a 
tumble ? ” 

“ I have been so accustomed to your performances 
of that nature in public, that another could not make 
me nervous at all.” 

“ Bravo I Stand in the corner, my little one I a 
propos. . . . Proczna’s horses have landed, an Ara- 
bian among the number, gentlemen — the ne plus 


216 


POLISH BLOOD. 


ultra^'* And Count Hechelberg, drillinaster of the 
army, in a state of hilarious delight, blew a kiss into 
the air. 

Like an electric spark the news passed through the 
assembled Ulans. “ First to examine her mouth, 
. . . first to mount, . . . forwards, Messieurs, as 
critics,” was shouted aloud through the crowd. 
“ Good morning, my dear Madame, . . . Have I the 
honor, my dear Miss ! ” And wildly they stormed 
down the stairway, by Madame Von Drach and 
Bicky. The countesses Dynar, Ettesbach and Taren- 
berg, who were on horseback, and had just made a 
tour of the course, directed their polished steeds 
toward the rostrum, to greet the ladies present. 

Xenia rode a magnificent sorrel, whose elegant trap- 
pings of white silk bore the arms and colors, in gay 
rosettes, of the House of Dynar. The slender figure 
sat like a queen in her saddle, the elegant simplicity 
of her costume contrasting strangely with the toilets 
of her companions, who, in fur-trimmed Hungarian 
velvet jackets and coquettish four-cornered caps, 
ornamented with heron wings, looked very pretty, 
but at the same time very dashing. The two ladies, 
“ le8 insSparahles^^ had attired themselves as nearly 
alike as possible, softening the all-too-sisterly effect 
by a difference in the choice of colors only. 

Xenia admired neither the gay nor the striking in 
the saddle, and wore to-day, as was her custom, a plain 
black cloth habit, with the single ornament of a snow- 
flake feather. 

Loud laughter and general disturbance in the 
vicinity of the entrance to the course announced 
the arrival of Mme. Von Hoftraten. 

“ Na, shilder, make vay unt blenty uf blace for 
me ! ” rang in broad Holland notes, distinctly, through 
the whole building. Seated upon a huge dapple 
gray, quite suitable in appearance to the not incon- 
siderable \yeight of the rider, dashed Madame Von 
Hoftraten in the course directly toward the hurdles, 


POLISH BLOOD, 


217 


and with a loud “ hepp, liepp,” in the highest key, 
vaulted over every impediment. 

Her husband followed her — calm, earnest and ex- 
ceedingly elegant. Directed by a masterhand, his 
jet-black steed flew over hurdle, wall and trench — 
almost noiselessly, in comparison to the heavy beating 
of his predecessor’s horse’s hoofs, which sent the 
flakes of earth flying into the very rostrum. Seldom 
was a more strangely assorted pair to be found. Loud 
bravos and jubilant cheers rewarded Madame Von 
Hoftraten for her performance, Prince Hiiningen re- 
cited in an unusually correct manner, “ Where all 
love, can Karl alone not hate,” and followed in hot 
haste the example of the elegant Hollander; and 
behind him, Meyer Sen sf eld, on an English full- 
blood. 

“ Proczna is coming ! ” ran joyfully from mouth to 
mouth through the rostrum. 

Count Hechelberg motioned hastily the officers to- 
gether. 

“ A stiff upper lip, gentlemen ! You must show 
this Parisian how the Franz Ulans can ride ! . . . 
ha, ha, ha . . . hold a tight rein, my corps. Reu- 
seck has the pitch hurdles in petto. You must hold 
a tight bit before this cavalier of the Bois de Bou- 
logne, and command respect for the Ulans. Then 
forward . . . hip-hurrah ! ” 

Flanders twisted his mustache ends into sharper 
and higher points. Bicky was right — he did look 
like the Jack of Clubs, especially at the moment 
when he stared smilingly at the black spots in the 
wall plastering — his* eyes fairly leered. 

Proczna entered on foot, in order to greet the 
ladies and gentlemen, and formally to ask permission 
of Prince Reuse ck, as a civilian, to ride in the course. 
In a moment the gentlemen surrounded him, and 
gave him a hearty welcome. 

“ Mon Dieu, Proczna, you surely won’t risk it.” 
laughed Count Hechelberg, blinking his little eyes in 
amusement. 


218 


POLISH BLOOD, 


This is the air of the Franz Ulanens ! Aren’t 
you afraid it will blow a little too sharply for your 
steed ? ” 

Janek shrugged his shoulders and laughed, and 
Xenia, who, together with the other ladies, had ridden 
to his side, smiled quietly as she heard the remark. 

“ I can but give it a trial, my dear Count. My 
horses have breathed so many temperatures I should 
not be surprised if they would acclimatize themselves 
here.” 

“ Strong faith has its value. But tell me, O man 
of the throat, did you really ever attempt the hurdle 
and other impediments ? ” 

“ Well, yes, now and then, when a curbstone hap- 
pened in my way, over which my Arabian success- 
fully stumbled.” Janek made a grimace which left 
one in doubt whether he was in jest or earnest. “ Of 
course the roots of the trees must not be too thick, 
and no one dare draw forth a pocket-handkerchief 
— and much less sneeze ! ” 

“ Ha, ha ! Listen — my opinion exactly ! ” crowed 
Meyer, giving the artist a slap on the shoulder. 
“ y our Arabian is a capital steed, but he has a temper 
that fills one with anxiety at the thought of such a 
Satan’s entering the race track.” 

“ Do you think the rascal will allow us to examine 
him ? He scarcely permits a glance, — ^would become 
instantly ticklish if Flanders and his mustache were 
to passdiis vicinity.” 

“ Yes, unfortunately he has an immense number of 
pranks . . . and as cunning,” nodded Proczna, with 
indifference ; “ but he will become 'tame in time.” 

“ Are your bones brittle ? Do not jest in earnest 
and risk your head upon such a breakneck creature ! 
Mon Dieu^ a fellow cannot be perfect. You sing like 
Apollo, then why seek to wrest the laurels from 
Mars ! Take a turn round the track with us for 
amusement’s sake, but do not attempt the impedi- 
ments with your Arabian ! ” 

“ A thousand thanks for your considerate advice, 


POLISH BLOOD. 


219 


my dear Captain.” Procziia’s glance wandered to 
Xenia, who drew her lace handkerchief from her 
breast pocket and pressed it to her lips. “ You have 
no idea what suicidal ideas I entertain. Perhaps I 
court the death of a bold horseman.” 

“ By the Lord Harry, aii}^ one that has been an 
officer of the cuirassier guards ought to know some- 
thing about riding,” laughed Flanders, while about 
the corners of his mouth a thousand little wrinkles 
formed, and I am convinced that the few years out 
of practice have by no means lamed him. Come 
prove it to these unbelievers, and try 3^our luck upon 
my bay mare. If you can make her budge from this 
spot without turning her four legs into the air as 
though she were beset, I’ll agree to eat a trichinsB rat 
as a mark of ray great respect.” 

Hechelberg, with arms akimbo, fairly bent his cor- 
pulent body with laughter. Proczna, visibly amused, 
seized Flanders’ extended hand and said: “One 
noble sacrifice calls for another, my good comrade. 
Bring forth your untamed beauty.” 

Flanders made a motion to the orderly. Heller- 
Hiiningen, however, shook his handsome head, and 
laid his hand upon the young officer’s shoulder : 
“ Do not make a donkey of yourself, Flanders. Re- 
member that the ‘ gouttes d or ’ was most bitter on 
your tongue.” 

An attendant officer led the mare into the track. 
The gentlemen surrounded her, laughing and debat- 
ing her merits. Hechelberg turned as red as a cherry 
with pleasure as he examined her. 

“ Courage, Proczna — forward and mount ! ” 

Count Dynar stepped slowly nearer. His glance 
passed critically over the animal, and for a moment 
only a mixture of surprise, mockery and amuse- 
ment quivered about his mouth. 

“Would you be willing to mount this horse in its 
present condition, Mr. Flanders?” 

A momentaiy silence. “ Of course, I should. I 
ride her every day.” 


220 


POLISH BLOOD, 


“Then thank your Creator that I am not yom’ 
captain,” Janek laughed softly, and laid his hand 
upon the saddle. “ I should never have believed that 
such a girthed horse could be found in the Franz 
Ulan Regiment, and especially in possession of 
Lieutenant Flanders, and that he, one of the leading 
spirits, would seat himself, without a scruple, upon 
such a forlorn creature ! A fact, comrade, if you 
were to press my false ribs together, as you have this 
unhappy beast’s, I certainly would turn my four legs 
— if I had them — into the air. A horse with a sad- 
dle girth in the wrong place the devil himself would 
not ride ! ” 

A storm of laughter arose. 

Hechelberg, threw his arm about the speaker, and 
fairly fell on his breast, with amusement. “ Count, 
you divine being ! Let us enjoy a glass over this joke 
of the season.” And Heller-Hiiningen leaned against 
the wall and fairly bent double with amusement. 
“ Holy thunder and lightning ! . . . Flanders and trichi- 
nae rat ! . . . I told him so. What a tumble ! What 
an immense tumble ! He thought he had a mush- 
head in Proczna . . . Get a return ticket, Flanders ! . . . 
‘ And our love’s again no more ! ’ ha ha ! and the 
gouttes d'or joke has found its match ! ” 

A whirlwind of shouts of laughter resounded 
through the circle. Flanders’ face became longer 
and more colorless than usual, but he very soon re- 
covered himself and made the best of a very dis- 
agreeable thing. 

“ Flanders will leave town after this joke ; he has 
had bad luck lately.” 

“ Yes, indeed. Good luck ! at some Sunday show, 
where one can scarcely tell a nag from a goat ! ” 

“ Flanders must pay a forfeit ! . . . Up and away to 
Valencia ! We will touch our glasses, gentlemen, in 
honor of Proczna’s devilish sharp eyes ! ” 

Prince Reuseck, in the meantime, descended from 
the rostrum, and extending his hand to Proczna, bade 
him welcome in the circle of his comrades. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


221 


^ Xenia had urged her steed more and more to one 
side, for a moment a sensation, as though a cold hand 
had pressed her heart, came over her. She trembled 
at the idea of the “Poles” disgracing himself. 
Anything but that I A few days before she would 
have triumphed over his defeat ; to-day she felt as 
though such a thing would destroy this image of per- 
fection, which gradually and overpoweringly had built 
itself up before her mental vision. God be praised, 
it remained unharmed. — Xenia’s head rose more 
proudly on her shoulders, while a feeling of intense 
satisfaction beamed in her eyes.— She nodded to him 
to approach that she might say an encouraging Avord 
to him — he did not look in her direction, but passed 
on with Reuseck toward the rostrum to greet the 
ladies. From afar his glance had already sought out 
Madame Gartner, whose salutation he returned with 
a smile. 

The sorrel nag made a plunge forward ; its mis- 
tress had given the bridle a sudden jerk. 

“We shall dismoimt. Countess Dynar, and view 
the racing from the rostrum,” cried the “ insS'para- 
hles^'*^ with eyes sparking with pleasure. “ Proczna 
is going to maneuver with his Arabian steed.” 

“ Vorvarts, den pring your skeen in safety. You 
leetle gowards, I vas von ov de barty ven it costs 
Europe.” 

“ But, my dear Hoftraten, they are going to ride 
over the burning hurdles I ” whispered Countess 
Ettesbach, with great, anxious eyes. “ You certainly 
will not do that ? ” 

“ Dot makes noting. I vas not easy burn.” 

“ In heaven’s name I — we shall dmire you, Walk- 
uere — au revoir I ” 

“ And, for a fact, you are going to imitate us in 
everything, Proczna,” said Flanders, with a malicious 
twinkle in his eye, as . Count Dynar, upon his Ara- 
bian, rode into the course. “Your ‘ Jussuf ’ is still 
clean mad from his railroad traveling, and the jade 
will make you pay for it.” 


222 


POLISH BLOOD, 


“ It certainly cannot do more than break my 
neck.” 

“ Proczna I Look at the trenches 1 You certainly 
are not going to risk such breadth ? ” 

Janek smiled. “1 beg pardon, gentlemen. Ido 
not think it depends upon the breadth at all, but 
rather upon the length ! ” 

“ Famous I Brilliant ... It is plain to be seen 
that you are at home with us I Eh hien — forward ! ” 

The two great doors of the equestrian school were 
opened. The gentlemen made the rounds of the 
track, then through the building. 

What a sight I 

On, on came the mad chase. Light, slender, ele- 
gant as the mountain chamois flew the steeds in full 
speed over the track, over hurdle, ditch and wall, 
then with clattering hoofs, passing without, Heller- 
Htiningen and Proczna were the first to sweep by in 
the second round through the gate. 

With bit and bridle flecked with foam, nostrils in- 
flated and trembling with excitement, the Arabian 
reared straight up in the air before the leap to be 
made. — Janek touched him with his spur, and with 
one bound he leaped down into the course below. 

“ Bravo ! ” Prince Reuseck, who observed the 
race from the rostrum, gazed with his head bent far 
forward, as though he could scarcely believe his 
eyes. The heart within him fairly danced at the 
sight of such horsemanship, even though not per- 
formed by a Ulan. 

“ What an intoxicating sight ! ” cried Madame 
Leonie, with bated breath, while her hand grasped 
Xenia’s arm like a vise. “ So must St. George have 
torn down the mountain to rescue the Countess Julia ! 
— so must the milk-white steed of the North King’s 
son have stormed like the wind, and so must Michael 
Scott, the spirit rider, have stamped the earth before 
the threshold of the Louvres.” 

“ I beg of you, my love, you are all ecstacy,” giggled 
the Countess Kany, allowing her lorgnette to fall 


POLISH BLOOD, 


223 


from her little, pinched-up eyes. “ What do you say 
now to your admired and wonderful brother, ma 
petite ? Of course you are as much inspired as my 
little friend here ! ” 

“ I am not at all surprised, which, of course, lessens 
the effect. Countess. I was aware that Janek was a 
masterly equestrian.” 

“ Incredible ! Proczna orders the bars three spaces 
higher ! ” 

“ He has beaten the best vaulter on the track ! ” 

“ Ah, Reuseck ! — Voila^ Reuseck on the track — ” 
“ Attention ! — Proczna vaults.” 

“ Bravo ! — Bravo ! . . . A mlto mortale — 
heaven, the Arabian has wings ! 

“ Reuseck saves his honor, and follows him I 
Hurrah ! hepp — hepp ! . . . a brilliant leap ! I told 
you so, children, ‘ Demetrius ’ would not make a fool 
of himself! — Well, how now, Huningen 1 Back, 
back proud nag ! ! . . . By my faith, he risks it ! Ha, 
ha . . . his • Marceline ’ shakes her head ... he 
spurs her again ... ho ! hepp, hepp ! . . . Hurrah ! 
our ‘ beauty-patch ’ has made it ! . . . But, again. 
Messieurs forward ! . . . over, ’pon my honor ! Ha, 
ha, I really believe Madame von Hoftraten is about 
to torment her dumpling of a horse ! For God’s sake 
— the greaser — if they should both miss it I Ah, ha 
— she considers — God forbid — she leaps ! she leaps ! 
— Ha, ha, ha ! She misses — it is too high for you, 
Madame Hoftraten I — crawl under ! ” 

The Hollander shook her fist at the rostrum, gave 
her plump steed a stroke, and away she went. 

“ Free the track — put up the burning hurdles ! ” 
The cavaliers withdrew to the open space before 
the rostrum, and began a loud and animated con- 
versation. « 

“ Well, Proczna, you have kept pace with the 
Ulans till now, very well I ” laughed Hechelberg, 
smirking and slapping him on the back ; “ don’t you 
begin to feel it in your bones ? hey ? *’ 

“ I think I can hold out a little while longer ” — 


224 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ You gay deceiver ! How he can dissemble ! 
We all know by this time that you can hold your 
own on the saddle ; but still that is not enough for 
Reusseck’s ‘ mad wild troop.’ Look at the burning 
hurdle yonder ! what do you think of that ? Have 
we courage for that ? ” 

“ Your Mameluke seems to possess the courage.” 

“And your Arabian ? What does he say to it?” 

“ That’s a matter of indifference to me . I have 
never asked his opinion ! ” 

“Well, then, come on ! You had better consider 
the matter well. I tell you it requires a taste for 
hairbreadth escapes.” 

In the midst of the equestrian school, instead of 
the common hurdle, were placed two iron cribs, filled 
in with wood, tow and pitch. An orderly ignited the 
mass, through the vapor and smoke, and amidst crack- 
ling and sputtering of the wood rose the flames, blood 
red, into the air. 

“ Forward, gentlemen ! ” commanded Reusseck. 
The horses, at the sight of the fire, snorted wildly 
and stormed through the door of the course, round 
the building, through the opposite door — on — on, 
then with great leaps, and then one mighty bound 
through the blinding blaze and away again. 

It was a magnificent, yet awful spectacle, and stood 
alone of its kind — this masterpiece of the Franz 
Ulan equestrianship. 

Proczna had remained quietly standing to one side 
at this part of the performance, and acknowledged 
this extraordinary feat with loud applause. 

“Well, what do you think now? Will you fol- 
low ? ” cried Reuseck, who had been wagering on 
the result at the other end of the course. 

.“Of course. Colonel, a Cuirassier Guard never 
likes to decorate the wall.” 

Breathless silence upon the rostrum. 

Proczna dashed forward — rearing wildly, the Ara- 
bian shrank from the flames, standing straight up into 
the air. Proczna rnastered hjm — and with one mighty 


POLISH BLOOD. 


225 


leap through the dazzling blaze, horse and rider, as 
though dipped in blood, passed through vapor and 
sparks. On — on raced Proczna, and took the crib 
the second time. Mastered by an iron hand and will, 
Jussuf made the leap, without the least resistance. 

“ Madame Von Hoftraten ! Can it be possible? ” 

Her husband, with an air of indifference, held 
back, and stroking his full black beard, smiled at her. 

Although under strong encouragement the dappled 
gray prepared to take his task with considerable 
phlegm, but nevertheless he leaped — of course much 
too low. Loud snorting, he passed through the 
flames, with his skin well singed, and the riding 
costume of his mistress bedabWed with pitch and 
burning at the hem. 

Hechelberg and Huningen leaped to her assistance, 
seized her bridle ; quick as a flash Madame Von 
Hoftraten found herself upon the ground, and the 
young officers, with the help of the orderlies, extin- 
guished the flames with tanbark. 

Her husband, calm and cool, stood to one side and 
viewed the scene. “It is evident one needs some- 
thing more than enthusiasm,” he said in his laconic, 
half-humorous manner. 

“ Na, na, childer ; don’t pundle me up so dick ; the 
vicked vorlt tink I vas in de kround tree days ! ” 
laughed the plucky Hollander, with usual good 
humor. “You petter put a butter-rag on dat horse 
— he vas purnt like a ros’ goose.” 

This little intermezzo by no means disturbed the 
gentlemen, who dusted off, their gloves and mounted 
their horses again. 

With enthusiastic acknowledgments the officers 
surrounded Proczna. “Good-morning, Couleur!'*^ 
cried Heller-Huningen, giving him a warm pressure 
of the hand. “The Cuirassier Guards and the Franz 
Ulanen belong to the same stripe, and if ever our 
lances recoil, it will be on the cuirass and the eagle.” 

“ Vive honne chance., Proczna! Thunder and 
lightning, but you have stepped closely upon our 


226 


POLISH BLOOD. 


heels. We invited you to a game of chance and you 
have brilliantly won the prize ! ’’ 

“ It is then high time for you gentlemen to take 
revenge,” laughed Janek, with charming humor. 

“ Revenge? The devil ! Another — how so ! ” 

“ Well, to give my honored comrades an oppor- 
tunity to win the prize also ! ” 

“ You strike the spot where we are mortal. Shuffle 
the cards. L'honneur is trumps.” 

An expression of intense expectation was depicted 
on every face. Perfect silence reigned, broken only 
by Madame Von Hoftraten, in whose nose the tan- 
bark dust had risen, causing her to sneeze several 
times, with the fall-toned energy of a watchman. 

Proczna raised his head, while his eyes flashed 
with a mixture of provocation and humor. “Gentle- 
men, until now I have followed your every example 
without a murmur. Suppose we now turn the tables 
and I take the lead. You ride after me?” 

Prince Reuseck listened attentively. “ This needs 
no assurance, my dear sir,” replied he hastily ; and 
from the ranks of the young officers came, “ Certainly ! 
of course ! en avant ! — fire away, Proczna, but make 
haste ! ” 

Laughing, Janek let his stirrups fall, then picked 
them up and threw them over the horse. 

“ I think, gentlemen, we will all ride the smooth 
English saddle ; eh hien.^ let us start the program 
from the beginning and drop the stirrups.” 

For a second it seemed as though lightning had 
struck the whole corps. With great, round eyes that 
expressed boundless astonishment,Hechelberg stretch- 
ed his head forward and drawlingly asked, “ Tell us, 
old fellow, are you in earnest or in jest?” 

“ Holy earnest. Young Germany, shall we start ? ” 

“ Of course we shall ! ” — Prince Reuseck laughed 
gaily — “ Forward, Ulanen! We will owe no one re- 
venge ! ” 

“ Hurrah ! hepp, hepp I ” cried Heller Hiiningen, 
hurriedly throwing his stirrups up. “ The boy Karl 


POLISH BLOOD. 


227 

begins to worry me fearfully. Ride him down, gen- 
tlemen ! 

For good or evil — nothing venture nothing have, 
even though the corpulent Hechelberg panted as he 
reached after his stirrups. 

^ “ An accursed fellow ! By heaven, he is going to 
give us another enigma,” he laughed in deep bass, 
and then turned and said to Madame Von Hoftraten 
with a wry face, “ Don’t you think we would better 
remain on foot? For if we two should accidentally 
have a rendezvous in the ditch, there would be room 
for no one else ! ” 

Madame Von Hoftraten’s only reply was a tap with 
her riding whip, after which she turned short around 
and steered toward the rostrum, from there to take a 
bird’s eye view of “ de ole pezzy bo tty shmelling de 
tan in de ditch.” 

With unusual skill, confidence and elegance the race 
was run, though many a brow pearled from excite- 
ment; but the reputation of the Ulanens was no 
soap bubble, and the hon-mot., “ Reuseck’s mad, wild 
chase,” was no empty phrase. The Eagle flew on in 
advance, but the lances came storming bravely be- 
hind him, to plant their banner victoriously at his side. 

Genuine enthusiasm seized every gentleman. The 
Janus head of the amusement had turned, and dis- 
played, instead of the merry laughing face, an ear- 
nest countenance with ambition flashing in its eyes. 

Unreserved acknowledgment carried the day. 
The foaming steeds pressed forward together before 
the rostrum. Prince Reuseck shook his guest’s 
hand with the greatest heartiness, and the ladies 
expressed their admiration in their most eloquent 
words. 

“ Famous performance, Proczna.” Hechelberg pass- 
ed his handkerchief over his plump, red glowing face. 
“ Your little rogue bounds like india-rubber, and he 
is as nimble as oiled lightning, which even envy must 
admit. You must have gotten him out of the circus, 
he understands all the tricks so well.” 


228 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Certainly, Captain ! Jussuf has not only been 
ridden in the circus, but he has reaped therein many 
a laurel.” 

“ Impossible ! Fabulous ! Tell us all about it. Who 
was his trainer? ” 

As though electrified the heads drew close together, 
and even those upon the rostrum began to approach. 

“ Fear nothing, ladies,” Jaiiek laughed, mischiev- 
ously. “ The brave courser was nevertheless bred 
in court society, for the whip under which he first 
learned to bend his proud neck bore an Emperor’s 
crown upon its head.” 

“ Ah, ha ! in Paris ! — we can imagine where ! Thun- 
der and lightning, Proczna, tell us all about it ! ” 

Janek patted caressingly the neck of his horse. “I 
believe, ladies and gentlemen, that the columns of 
the German newspapers have teemed with accounts 
of the piquant and new caprice of the Parisian court 
society, that amused itself by calling a circus into 
life, and recruiting its artists from the aristocracy. 
Of course, with the complete exclusion of all publi- 
city, I have never seen a more charming appearance 
upon the trapeze than that of the Countess de Belle- 
boeuf, nor a more graceful performance upon the 
tight rope than tliat of the Marquise Von Rougat; 
the Duchesse Von T. juggled with silver balls, and 
Madame De Taffy rode a trained horse, which, of its 
kind, was unequaled, while the Duke of Larochfou- 
cauld was the best clown, and the Duke Von Morny 
was the most delightful leader of the ballet that I 
have ever admired I ” 

“ Charming ! — magnificent ! — perfectly delightful J 
— and the other gentlemen ? What did they do ? ” 

Proczna shrugged his shoulders with a smile. 
“ Everything one is accustomed to see in a circus. 
Prince C. paraded with his trained horse the two 
Counts of. Dumont leaped over fourteen horses 
and the Duke of Valence — ” 

“ What did Proczna do ? That’s what we want to 
know,” 


POLISH BLOOD 


229 


“ Janek Proczna ? He presented himself with his 
wonderful evolutions upon unsaddled horses, ladies.” 

“ Huningen ! hold me ! I tumble ! ” cried Hechel- 
berg, with a stentorian voice, through the tumult 
which arose ; but Donat was beside himself with de- 
light. He clapped his hands together and laughed 
so loud and heartily as only he could laugh. 

“ Can’t be beaten ! — ^heavenly ! The rogue has 
fooled us again, by Heavens ! the second time. For 
two long hours we ride the very lungs out of our 
bodies solely for the purpose of completely awing 
this gentleman, then, in our gigantic conceit, set a 
match on fire — and, when this lord of creation sees 
it, puffs the whole fireworks under our noses, and in- 
forms us, in conclusion, that he has been accustomed 
to give, in his hours of leisure, circus performances 
upon unsaddled horses — ha, ha, ha ! Cover your 
heads, gentlemen. I propose, gentlemen, that we 
quietly go home ! ” . . . 

The race-track had seldom seen a more animated 
company. 

“ Is there no laurel wreath at hand ? Proczna must 
be decorated ! ” cried Madame Leonie with flashing 
eyes. “ Mon Dieu^ if I only bore your snowbell 
upon my breast I would know how to use it ! ” 

“ Who told your Excellency that I do not know 
myself?” Xenia loosened the bouquet from her 
bosom, and glanced toward Janek. Never before had 
the charming countenance exhibited so much pleas- 
ure and animation. 

“ The only order I have to dispose of, Janek,” said 
she smiling, “ although I would like to sound your 
praise from the great bell in the tower.” 

Proczna drew the hand that offered him the flowers 
chivalrously to his lips. 

“ It is to be hoped that this snowbell will not 
sound, in accordance with its nature, a song of ice, 
cold and wintry frost ! ” said he jestingly, fastening 
the flower in his button-hole, and glancing at Madame 
Leonie. 


230 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ As far as I know it portends spring,” said Xenia, 
short, while a shadow passed over her countenance. 
“ When we gather flowers, even though they may be 
cool and pale, the bitterest and longest part of winter 
lies behind us ! ” 

“ If that is its significance, your decoration will be 
a jewel to me, Xenia, giving, as it does, the promise 
that even in this high latitude hope’s green will bury 
the ice and snow under its luxuriant mantle.” 

With these words he bowed to the Countess Dynar, 
but his wandering eyes flashed a passionate, respon- 
sive greeting to Madame Leonie. 

Xenia turned away. 

“ Then you will surely come this afternoon, 
Proczna ? ” 

“ Dead or alive, Excellency,” and bowing low over 
her ; “ There waits my love, I fly to her arms ! ” he 
sang softly, with a dauntless look in his eyes. 

“And it will be no sacrifice to you ? I sing so 
faultily ; will you have patience with me ? Hand on 
your heart I ” 

He had taken her little muff out of her hand, and 
pressed it assuringly against his breast; “Endless 
patience ” 

The snowbells were broken, and fell fluttering to 
the ground, to die under the horses feet. Proczna 
had not noticed them at all. 

But Xenia saw them — suddenly something seemed 
to roar and moan in her ears ; she stared down at the 
broken petals and her breath came heavily. It 
seemed as though every snowbell became a rosy apple 
blossom, just like those she tore years ago from 
Janek’s favorite little tree, and stamped them in blind 
hate under her feet. The icy air . blew cold through 
the rostrum door ; the Countess Dynar rose brusquely 
and ordered her carriage. Donat bowed most politely 
his adieu to her. Returning it in an absent-minded 
manner, and bowing her beautiful head right and 
left — her glance swept over Janek Proczna, 


POLISH BLOOD. 


231 


* ♦ * * » 


CHAPTER XVL 

After the races, Janek Proczna kissed the hand of 
Madame Von Drach, in ostensible gallantry, and 
asked the favor of his gracious and much-respected 
aunt of taking tea with her that evening. He was 
naost cordially invited, with a pouting, coquettish 
air, that “ it was not necessary for him to ask per- 
mission where he was considered a member of the 
family, and of course at all times welcome.” And at 
that the wife of the Lord Chamberlain took him famil- 
iarly by the arm and parted with him at her carriage 
in such a confidential manner that Madame Leonie 
must certainly have died with envy. 

Janek appeared in Villa Florian much eaiiier than 
Madame Clara expected him — the salons had not 
been lighted, and pressing correspondence still bound 
Madame Drach to her boudoir, and therefore the 
chamberlain was the only one to see the guest. 

The old gentleman was really not at all curious, 
but there was, nevertheless, so much that he was 
fairly dying to know ; and, therefore, full of nervous 
eagerness, he drew his “ dear boy ” down on a divan, 
and spread his diplomatic net. 

“ Who loves whom ? ” 

Madame Leonie evidently was not in high favor 
with him. The elegantly-gloved and booted little 
chamberlain allowed himself to be carried away so 
far by the violence of his feelings as to use expres- 
sions whose strong, plain terms would have delighted 
any under officer. He went on to say that the beau- 
tiful Madame Leonie, when a young lad}^ was in very 
indigent circumstances, and was just on the point of 
accepting the position of companion when she made 
the acquaintance of his Excellency Von Gartner, at 
Carlsbad, where she had accompanied a wealthy lady 


232 


POLISH BLOOD. 


friend. All Carlsbad knew how desperately she pur- 
sued the old gentleman, and with what subtle arts 
she had ensnared him. And now? Poor old fool, 
he had made himself a superfluous shadow in his own 
house.” 

Janek seemed to be very much interested ; he in- 
quired, also, into the peculiar friendly relations exist- 
ing between the Princess and Her Excellency Von 
Gartner. 

Uncle Drach was now steering into the right chan- 
nel. “ The woman is a serpent ! — a Satan in pursuit 
of souls ! ” he cried in an angry tone. “ God only 
knows what artifice she has used to force Anna Regina 
completely under her thumb ! She is all-powerful at 
Court, and in this unassailable position she torments 
society. Believe me, Janek, if Madame Gartner were 
not here matters would look very different in this 
vicinity. The ladies of the regiment are harmless, 
amiable creatures, who, through the influence of their 
husbands, are more interested in equestrian sports 
perhaps than is necessary, and who by their exclusive 
association with the gay cavalry officers have adopted 
customs which startle even an unbiased public. A 
lady who is just as much at home on the turf as in 
the salon can never assume the gentle manners of a 
canoness. The whole city is scandalized at the tone 
that has crept into the cavalry and court society, and 
the people are all the more provoked, as they only 
receive fragmentary accounts, which, fully explained, 
would produce an entirely different impression. If 
the citizens and the more reasonable of the artillery 
and infantry officers had an opportunity to know our 
ladies they would have a very different opinion of 
them. But how is such a thing to be brought about? 
Excellency Von Gartner has built a Chinese wall 
about her handful of the faithful, and cut off all in- 
tercourse. In revenge, it is said, the commander of 
the infantry regiment once dared, morally speaking, 
to tread her down, but her vengeful little white hand 
broke his neck. Every opposition of the Ulanens 


POLISH BLOOD. 


233 


proceeds from Madame Leonie. Through her influ- 
ence upon the Princess she holds a number of otlier 
ladies completely in her power, and through the wife 
she commands the husband. I assure you, Janek, 
that woman is a Satan ! ” 

Baron Von Drach passed his handkerchief excitedly 
over his forehead. He had talked himself into great 
agitation, and yet it was plain to be seen what a re- 
lief it was to his soul to speak thus freely. 

Proczna nodded almost mechanically as he stared 
down at the pattern of the Turkish carpet, then sud- 
denly raised his head. 

“ I am sincerely thankful to you, my dear uncle, 
for this communication. You have no idea what 
great interest I have at stake. Another question, 
dear uncle : Does there exist, or did there ever exist, 
a gentleman in this city that bore the name of Don 
Carlos ? ” 

The Lord Chamberlain stared for a moment into 
vacancy. “ Carlos? . . . Carlos ? ... No, I do not 
know any by that name — not even one with such a 
nickname — I am acquainted with the whole regi- 
ment. Bandit — the Prodigal Son — Paprica — Schneid 
— Beauty Patcli. . . .No, there is no Carlos, depend 
upon it. I am positive, for I know them all. I have 
nothing else to do ! ” Uncle Drach drew eagerly 
nearer, and laid his hand upon Janek’s shoulder. 
“But why do you wish to know, my boy ? Who has 
been speaking of a Carlos ? — where . . . when . . . 
how ? Is any one in love with him ? Ah, I begin to 
comprehend . . . insinuations . . . raillery among 
the ladies— Ah, we shall soon have it all. After the 
next dinner at Tarenberg’s — I’ll lend an ear— Madame 
tells him everything, and he is tlie most gigantic 
tattler in the country. I’ll have it.” 

Proczna became suddenly very thouglitful, and a 
deep fold formed between his eyebrows. “ So, then, 
a foreign element,” ... he murmured. “ eh lien . . . 
Madame Leonie must lead me into the channel her- 
self.” 


234 


POLISH BLOOD. 


The door was hastily thrown open, and with a loud 
cry of joy Bicky bounded toward the two gentlemen. 

“ You here, Janek ? — a whole quarter of an hour 
before I knew it ? O, it is outrageous ! — even insult- 
ing. August cannot accustom himself to the idea 
that calls must be announced to me. I am now a 
full-grown lady ! and the donkey acts as though he 
still considers me a child.” 

“ Uncle, that man must have orders to quit your 
service immediately ! ” said Proczna, with an ex- 
pression of great indignation, seizing Bicky’s two 
hands. 

But the Chamberlain stared with astonishment 
upon his little daughter, and asked in a subdued tone, 

“ But, Bicky . . . You certainly are not accustomed 
to address Janek in this familiar manner. 

Janek broke out in a bright laugh, but Beatrice 
threw back her little head, and assumed a very reso- 
lute air. 

“ O, Mon Dieu ! papa, not only when we are alone, 
but now — always — and continually I shall treat him^ 
this very way. Of course Janek has forbidden it in* 
society, and therefore I have tried to be very formal, 
but when we are alone, we are like brother and sister 
even though Xenia herself should stand at my side. 
She has now absolutely no power over me whatever, 
for now I am just as much a lady of society as she.” 

Beside himself with delight. Uncle Drach enfolded 
his courageous little daughter in his arms. “You 
are a ‘ lightning girl,’ Bicky. Heaven only knows 
from whom you inherit your courage.” 

“ How did you get these blue spots on your dress ? ” 

“ Blue spots ? ” The little maiden gazed hurriedly 
down upon herself. “ Ink ! — Constantin has been 
dabbling in ink, and then dried his hands on me 
while I wrote. That’s the way he always does.” 

“You have been writing in the nursery, then ! ” 

Blinking her eyes mysteriously Beatrice nodded to 
the questioner, and then standing on her tip-toes she 
whispered into his ear, “ T have been helping Stanzy 


POLISH BLOOD. 235 

to gain his just rights — but papa does not know any- 
thing about it.” 

“ Bomb and grenade ! My dear uncle, please look 
into this album a moment. Your daughter has a 
secret to confide. He has his back turned, now tell 
me all about it I ” 

Bicky, with an air of the greatest importance, held 
her little hand before her mouth and whispered : 
“ You must know that Stanzy is absolutely deter- 
mined to be a sailor and travel round the world ! 
And you see mamma and papa will not listen to it 
all, and call him a foolish boy, and say if an accident 
should happen to the ship they would reproach them- 
selves all their lives. Constantin was beside himself, 
and did not know what to do until I came to his as- 
sistance. So, you see we wrote out a large certificate 
— that is, I did, for Stanzy, you see, does not get 
along very well with ink ! Well, the certificate con- 
tains the following: ‘ I, Constantin Freiherr Von 
Drach and Sulsberg, do herewith declare that in 
case the ship on which I sail is wrecked, my parents 
are not to blame ! ’ Is that not brilliant ? Now that 
they are relieved of all responsibility, they can let 
the little rogue travel in peace ! ” 

Turning his head to conceal his smile, Janek said 
very earnestly : “ Immense idea ! I am exceedingly 
surprised ! — If you are able to accomplish so much in 
assisting others, you certainly can do me a small 
favor : will you ? ” 

“Do you a favor?” — Bicky fairly crowed aloud 
for joy. “ Six for one ; for you, I would go through 
fire, Janek, for I am indebted to you for all my hap- 
piness ; even to this new style of friseur, I know 
very well that you are the one that induced mamma 
to have my hair dressed just like her own ! ” 

“ Then you are ready? — Charmant ! Come quickly, 
take a seat by my side ; the matter is very serious 
and important, and must remain a secret between us 
two for eternity 1 ” 

“ Ah, a secret for eternity ! Just what I have been 


236 


POLISH BLOOD. 


longing for fearfully for ever so long,” and with glow- 
ing cheeks and eager eyes the little maiden seated 
herself in a listening attitude, and folded her hands 
oyer the ink spots. 

“ You are aware that I am to sing at Court to-mor- 
row evening ? ” 

Becky nodded eagerly. 

“ Madame Lieutenant Gower will accompany me 
and pla}^ brilliantly — when she rises I wish you to 
clap your hands loud — ^it will be considered perfectly 
correct for you to do such a thing — and then go to 
her and tell her you are perfectly delighted with her 
performance.” 

“But Janek . . . Mrs. Gower? Excellency Gartner 
has informed the ladies — ” 

“Did Excellency ever forbid your speaking to 
Madame Gower ? ” 

“ No.” 

“Well, then, do this to please me. I ask it as a 
favor. And further, you must urge Donat likewise 
to do the same thing.” 

“ Donat ! He would not think of such a thing ! ” 

“ The request of a lady will be a command for him ; 
if he does not obey, and treats you still as a child, 
which of course you must not permit, you must pro- 
ceed energetically and say to him : Either show me 
that you possess courage, or — ” 

Bicky’s eyes flashed : “ Or I'” * 

— “ I shall never speak another word to you dur- 
ing my whole life.” 

“During my whole life.” Really terrified, she 
stared at him with wide-open eyes. “ But, Janek, that 
would indeed be frightful I Of course Donat is abso- 
lutely nothing to me — I hate the creature, and look 
upon him with the greatest indifference . . . but my 
whole life long never to speak one word to him ? No, 
I never could do that ... I would die . . . I . . . Oh, 
I . . . Don’t you think I would better say, ‘ Either go 
or I shall only say to you what is absolutely neces- 
sary this whole evening ? ’ ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


237 

“ It would make no impression at all. If a lady 
would have Donat adore her she must treat him very 
badly indeed ; you can see that is the case with Xenia. 
The more severely and impolitely she treats him the 
more desperately he pays court to her — les extremis se 
touchentf Of course I know it would be exceedingly 
painful for you, should he turn about and court 
you . . . for you not only cannot endure the fellow, 
but you positively hate him.” 

“ Oh . . . please ... I have extraordinary control 
over myself . . . and for your sake I can make the 
sacrifice, and permit myself to be adored.” Then, sud- 
denly forgetting her r61e, and with unmistakable joy 
in her voice, she seized Janek’s hand. “Really, 
Janek ... do you really believe he would pay court 
to me? Oh, that would be heavenly . . . that is ... I 
mean it would be heavenly if he should go to Mrs. 
Gower ! Oh, I shall treat him perfectly dreadful — I 
shall say ” — here Bicky drew up her little form, and 
assumed a martial air — “‘Sir, Madame Gower has 
played grandly ; go and tell her so. If you do not 
do so, I shall consider you a coward, and such a word 
from the mouth of a lady will ruin your reputation.’ 
And if he should still refuse, I shall flatly tell him 
that he cannot ride, and drink two glasses of wine. 
Madame Von Hoftraten says anything meaner than 
that could not be said of a 3^oung officer.” 

“ For heaven’s sake ! be prudent, Bicky. He will 
prostrate himself at your feet before everybody ! ” 

Beatrice laughed almost cruelly. “ That would be 
just good for him ! Before everybody . . . Well, I’ll 
not crush him so badly as all that. I’ll say to him 
privately in an adjoining room — it will be more poeti- 
cal, you know — for all the falling upon knees that I 
have ever read about — ” 

The little creature stopped short, frightened at the 
sight of Mme. Von Drach, who, smiling and rosy as 
the young morn, entered with both hands extended 
to greet her “ dear nephew. ” 

“ Xenia asks to be excused ; she complains of a 


238 


POLISH BLOOD. 


slight headache ... A sudden attack. I believe some- 
thing has put her in ill-humor for never in my life 
have I seen her so nervous and agitated as to-day. 
Let her alone ! Such attacks must wear themselves 
out!” 

With a polite expression of sympathy, Janek shrug- 
ged his shoulders. “ Yes, they must wear themselves 
uut,” he repeated in a subdued voice ; “ and repose 
and solitude are the best medicine for such diseases.” 

Suddenly, however, he changed the subject of con- 
versation, and drawing the little hand of Madame 
Von Drach to his lips, he excused his early appear- 
ance in Villa Florian in a few pretty and charming 
words. 

“You are aware, my dear aunt, how very valuable 
your judgment is to me, and how thankful I am for 
any good advice you may give me. — To-morrow even- 
ing I am to sing at the Castle. I have arranged my 
program ; but, good heavens, who can understand 
the taste of this stormy, icy North? May I ask the 
favor of rehearsing before you? Perhaps you will 
approve my choice, and if not, suggest a more suitable 
selection.” 

Madame Von Drach, perfectly delighted, rose, and 
stepping to the piano, began to turn over the leaves 
of her music with so much animation that the Cham- 
berlain smirked and nodded to Janek, “ Herself again, 
heaven be praised ! She has ceased to copy Xenia’s 
airs ! ” 

Proczna thanked for lights. “ I love the keys best 
in the twilight ! ” laughed he, “ then one does not 
notice mistakes.” 

He preluded a few moments, then turning his head 
suddenly, “ Will my singing not disturb Xenia ? In 
which room is she ? ” 

Madame Clara eagerly shook her head. “ Heaven 
forbid ! Villa Florian is so massively built that your 
music could not reach her. Besides, if it could, it 
would be the best remedy for her illness.” 

Deep silence reigned for a moment in^ the salon, 


POLISH BLOOD. 


239 


With her head reclining upon the back of her chair, 
Madame Von Drach listened as though bound in the 
witchery of some delightful spell, and Bicky, who 
had seated herself upon a low cushion at her mother’s 
feet with her head in her lap, smiled as though in 
ecstacy. 

Proczna had never, indeed, sung more wonderfully, 
more entrancingly, even on that evening when he 
charmed the guests of the Countess Dynar. Song 
after song welled forth, now powerfully swelling like 
the storm without, whose pinions certainly must have 
borne the music out througli the night ; now sinking 
the voice, in sweet, low, mysterious whispers, in prayer 
and entreaty — 

And in the brook the nymphs swept by. Come 
down ; ’tis here so cool.” ... Yes, the voice lured 
and lulled and echoed and re-echoed : 

“ Love’s sweetest airs prolonging, 

Such as thou ne’er didst know; 

Until strange love and longing, 

O’er all thy spirits flow.” 

With a start the singer rose : “It is a little close 
here. I shall step for a moment into the adjoining 
room and open the window ! ” And before the lis- 
teners could recover themselves Janek had separated 
the closed portieres and stepped over the threshold. 

He stood for a moment as though rooted to tlie 
spot. Before him, under the dim light of the veiled 
chandelier, lay Xenia in a chair, with her arms across 
the back, and her head leaning against them ; the 
slender figure, in the soft, white cashmere morning 
dress, which flowed in graceful folds over the deep 
colored plush, and fell undulating in soft lace upon 
the carpet, trembled with agitation. 

“Xenia!” 

She started and stared at him as though he were a 
vision. Tears glistened in her eyes, and rolled over 
her pale countenance. 

Slowly she arose and turned her eyes for a moment, 


240 


POLISH BLOOD. 


flashing, upon him ; then the dark lashes sank low 
upon her cheeks. 

“ You sang in such a masterly manner, Janek, that 
you really lured me hither. I was simply waiting for 
the conclusion of the song before I entered,” 

Calm and cool as ever sounded her voice, though 
not quite so Arm as usual. 

“ It was thoughtless of me to sing when I knew 
there was a patient in the house. How are you, 
Xenia ; do you feel better ? ” 

This was still the same voice that had just im- 
plored in gentle tenderness, “ Come down — ’tis here 
so cool ! ” 

Countess Dynar pressed her handkerchief to her 
eyes for a moment and remained silent; then shaking 
her head and laughing, “Sing again, Janek; perhaps 
your songs will make me well again ! ” 

Madame Von Drach and Bicky stood in the door- 
way ; Xenia stepped towards them, and was received 
with surprise and delight. 

“ I beg for the listener’s quiet little corner,” said 
she, with an attempt at jesting. “ The voices of the 
nymphs have promised me that it is cool . . . and 
peaceful . . . and world-forgetting down here . . . 
and I long for all of these.” 

Janek stepped to the window and threw it open. 
The storm still raged about his brow, but above, 
yonder in the heavens, the clouds had begun to divide 
— a great brilliant star came out and shone down 
upon the Villa Florian. 


CHAPTER XVIL 

The air was warm, and laden with fragrance in 
Madame Leonie’s boudoir. 

The silken curtains were drawn, in order to ex- 
clude the sunbeams which, as was their wont in 
winter, gaily spread themselves wide through the 


POLISH BLOOD. 


241 


air. Only one narrow gold band bad succeeded in 
forcing itself through the lace tissue and meshes of 
chenille and fringe, and danced in dazzling sparks 
above and around the beautiful head of her Exceh 
lency, who stood near the piano holding a sheet of 
music in her hand. Proczna had accompanied her. 
Letting his hands sink slowly from the keys, and 
leaning back in his seat, he gazed up into his pupil’s 
face. 

“You are singing to-day. Excellency, in a very 
absent-minded manner ! ” said he in a subdued voice. 
“ As far as I recollect, there is a grace note upon 
the words ‘ softly ’ and ‘ hear,’ and both times you 
have omitted them. Will you allow me a moment ?” 
He reached for the notes, and for a second grasped 
the sheet and the slender hand that held it — at which 
he laughed like a mischievous boy that had thrown 
his net over a butterfly. — Leonie’s breath came short 
and quick. She pressed her hands to her temples, 
and turning away sank brusquely into a low seat. 

“ I cannot sing to-day ! . . . Do not torment me, 
Proczna . . . Mon Dieu., I can scarcely tell myself 
where my senses have flown ! ” 

“ My peace is gone, my heart is heavy.” He rose 
and stepped to her side. “ The spirits that call you 
will not let you go. Excellency ! I insist upon the 
felicitous right of being your teacher, and shall tor- 
ment you from egotistical motives with sweet songs, 
even though you do gaze up at me so despairingly ! 
Music is the key to woman’s heart, and he is a fool 
who holds this power and does not make use of it.” 

“ You are an enthusiast, Proczna ! Who can tell 
whether it is worth the effort to look into my 
heart ? ” 

He bent low over her, there was something wonder- 
fully fascinating in his glance. 

“ Every man is vain, and to see his own image in 
the heart of a beautiful woman he would wager 
heaven and hell.” 

“ And suppose all his efforts are in vain, and the 

16 


242 


POLISH BLOOD. 


heart under consideration will not prove a mirror?” 

Leonie said this very softly. The black lace on 
her bosom 'rose and fell, while the white hand, ex- 
hausted, sank down upon the back of the chair. 

“ Then I really do not know with whom to com- 
miserate — ^her or him ! ” 

Excellency Von Gartner started up suddenly. 
“ Let this remain an open question. The whole city 
is saying you are paying court to me.” 

“You see. Excellency, with what brilliant ideas I 
am accredited.” 

“ Shall we consider the matter earnestly ? ” 

“ No ! by no means I ” 

“ No?” 

“What sin have I committed, that you condemn 
me to a half hour’s ennui ? Everything earnest is 
always ennuyant ! Besides you have no idea how 
exceedingly foolish I would appear to myself — a 
knight of the woful figure.” 

“ Eh., hien., we shall not philosophize over fire, but 
play with it. Why do you pay court to me ? ” 
Leonie drew her fan out of its marble case, which 
stood before her upon the table, unfolded it and smiled 
roguishly over its embroidered border at the hand- 
some man at her side. 

“ Why ? ” With a low laugh, Janek seated him- 
self close at her side, upon one of the Oriental 
cushions, and drew her hand to his lips. 

“ Because I am content only with the fairest ! ” he 
said, teasingly. 

A light tap with the fan was the reply. 

“ Do you know, also that no gallant admirer will 
ever play the deserter ? ” 

“ I shall always enlist under love’s banner. Excel- 
lency. Have I ever given you cause to doubt ? ” 

“ Yes ! You came very near making me iealous.” 

“What! I?” 

“ You horrid creature ! You promised me to dis- 
grace Madame Gower publicly, and instead, what you 
did only served to bring about a triumph for her.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


243 


“ Mon Bleu ! Was it 1113^ fault that the lady played 
in such a masterly manner? Believe me, to accom- 
pany one of Lowe’s ballads by note and at the same 
time to transpose it, is a performance of which few 
are capable ! ” 

“ You fairly blazed with enthusiasm, and then you 
kissed your hand to her at the close ! ” 

“ The enthusiasm of the artist ! It is only after 
one has kissed many hands that he can judge which 
he prefers to give the sweetest. . . longest, . . . and 
warmest kisses ?” 

Proczna had again seized Madame Leonie’s hand, 
and with a significant glance, drew it to his lips after 
each of the last words. 

Leonie smiled. “ Heller - Hiiningen and little 
Beatrice did their best also, to frustrate my plan, 
and displayed over-eagerness in their Good Samaritan 
service. At first, I had a suspicion that you had in- 
stigated them to act as they did.” 

“ I ? Had you honored me with your notice you 
would have observed that I did not exchange a word 
with either the whole evening ! And — ” 

Proczna leaned forward on the arm of her chair, 
and gazed up at the beautiful woman with an expres- 
sion half roguish and half provoking : 

“Well, Excellency, what would you do, suppose I 
had won two admirers for Madame Gower? ” 

Leonie jestingly extended her hand toward his ear. 
“ I should have revenged mj^self, reprobate ! I should 
have undermined your very existence ! Become a 
hyena, and pitilessly tore your good name to pieces, 
and wrested your position from you at court ! ” 

“Do you really believe, my charming Nemesis, 
that you are so all-powerful ? ” 

Her Excellency shrugged her shoulders myste- 
riously. As though fascinated, her glance hung upon 
the face of the speaker, who slowly stroked his black 
mustache, while he sought to test the full power of 
his eye upon her. 

“Are you not aware the superstitious souls are 


244 


POLISH BLOOV. 


whispering in one another’s ears that I possess the 
magic herb which gives absolute power over human 
hearts ? ” 

“ I can confirm that b}^ my own experience. But 
is that to say, you are thereby more powerful 
than I?” 

Leonie laughed softly, and laid her hand half ten- 
derly, half sympathizingly upon his dark, curly head. 
“ Oh, you most charming of all little simpletons I ” 

“ Do not pity me too soon, my fair lady ! I have 
been told that any lucky infant, born with the silver 
spoon in its mouth, may find the magic herb, and 
whoever possesses a little luck and wit will find just 
the one that conceals the key to Anna Regina’s heart ! 
Do not undervalue my power. Excellency ; there are 
many things that pass into the life of an artist not 
dreamed of in the wisdom of your school.” 

“Delightful . . . You are exceedingly amusing, 
ProcznaT I could almost wager that you are the 
lucky infant yourself, although every proof is want- 
ing ! ” 

“ And suppose I produce it ? ” 

“Ah?” 

Janek drew still closer to her — in his eyes burned 
a strange, wild light, while his smile was almost 
ironical. “ You are playing, perhaps, .*n the face of 
the world, a brilliant comedy, but not to me. Excel- 
lency. I can see behind the scenes, and know how 
the r61es are assigned. Shall I tell you the magic 
formula which gives the play its title and lends the 
charm its power? ‘Don Carlos,’ Excellency . . . 
‘ Don Carlos ’ is the formula which will disclose the 
secret.” 

A low cry escaped the lips of her Excellency, she 
started out of her attitude of indifference and laid 
her hand involuntarily upon Janek’s lips, then her 
arm sank at her side, with eyes wide open with 
astonishment. She repeated mechanically : “ Don 

Carlos . . . What do you know of Don Carlos ? ” 

The adopted son of Count Dynar shrugged his 


POLISH BLOOD. 


. 245 


shoulders with a nonchalant air. ‘‘ Perhaps just as 
much as you ! ’’ 

“Impossible . . . You were certainly not in Lon- 
don.’’ Leonie bit her lip as she gave him a penetrat- 
ing look. 

“That was not at all necessary.” He laughed 
softly, while his gaze rested searchingly upon the 
face of his opponent. “ There are many roads that 
lead to Rome, and one is likely to meet his friends on 
any one of them . . . Ha! ha! You think you will 
first sound me ? ” 

“ Rome ... I understand,” Madame Von Gartner 
breathed with difficulty. “ You seem, indeed, to be 
informed. Mon Bieu., what a remarkable coincidence 
. . . And you are really acquainted with him ? ” 

“ Do you still doubt ? When one voluntarily 
comes to this Siberia there must be urgent reasons for 
so doing. Excellency ! ” 

“ Tell me — I implore you — a commission for the 
Princess ? Impossible. . . She has severed all re- 
lations — ” 

“ Commission ? ” Proczna repeated the word 
slowly with a peculiar accent, while his glance sank 
penetratingly into the eye of the beautiful woman 
facing him. “ What do you understand by that ? 
No word embraces a wider or more varied signifi- 
cance.” 

A deep flush burned upon Leonie’s cheeks. “ If 
you are indeed Carlo’s friend, and enjoy his confi- 
dence, answer me but this single question,” she re- 
plied, whispering hurriedly : “ I beg of you most 
earnestly — I implore you to tell me what mission 
leads you hither. Is the man really so mad enough.” 
. . . She interrupted herself short. “ Where did you 
see him last ? ” 

“ Whom?” 

“ Why • . . Mon Bieu . . . Carlo I ” 

“ Which Carlo ? ” 

Madam Von Gartner stared at him, “ I know but 
one!” 


246 


POLISH BLOOD. 


A subtle smile played about Janek’s lips. “ My 
case exactly ! I possess but one friend by that name, 
and between us there exists a peculiai’ relationship. 
He is now and then somewhat shy, and earnestly be- 
sought me before coming to this city, to avoid men- 
tioning his name, especially in the court circle, and 
there is but one woman’s mouth that dare whisper it 
in my ear — to her may I echo it? ” 

“ And should my lips pronounce this name ? ” 

“ Then it would be a kind of freemason sign for 
me, so that I would know — I have an ally before me.” 

Proczna’s countenance was as calm as though hewn 
out of marble. Neither expression nor gesture be- 
trayed agitation ; only the hand exhibited a scarcely 
perceptible nervousness, as it played with the tassel 
of his chair. He rose and gazed questioningly down 
upon the beautiful woman. 

A low, mocking laugh escaped her lips, as Madame 
Leonie’s willowy figure half rose out of the satin 
cushions. 

“ Very diplomatic, mon ami! You do your friend 
great honor, and would suit admirably at his side. 
Foreign offices need prudent, circumspect, and saga- 
cious emissaries. Did you think to have an easy mat- 
ter with me ? 

“ We are like two players, each wishing to see the 
other’s hand, and wagering for the benefit of a third 
party, both pulling together in concert and yet 
watching each other with mistrustful eyes ! Eh hien^ 
who will play first ? ” 

Proczna smiled. “ The first play always has the 
advantage. War and dice, as far as I am concerned, 
do not absolve the rules of courtesy.” 

Slippery as an eel ! One must take salt in his 
hand to catch you ! I am of the opinion that a cava- 
lier should always make the first advance to a lady.” 

“ I bend the knee in homage to my fair and dis- 
creet superior, and beg to whisper a confidential word 
into her ear.” 

The speaker permitted the deed to follow the 


POLISH BLOOD. 


247 


word, and gazed more boldly than adoringl}'- at the 
consort of the Lord Chancellor. Leonie pressed her 
hand to her brow, as though blinded by the burning 
glow of these captivating, yet mysterious, dark eyes; 
then turning with the air of a pouting child, she 
tapped him lightly on the cheek with her fan. 

“ You plume yourself upon all the heroic virtues, 
and at the same time you are the most ungallant fel- 
low in the world. Not a hair’s breadth will you move 
from your covered position, giving me at least pro 
forma the victory in my hand. Let us make a bar- 
gain — just and proper. Give me as proof positive 
the full name of Don Carlos and I shall openly and 
unreservedly confide in you the smallest detail which, 
more than you imagine, entangles me in this af- 
fair.” 

He gave a low laugh, and rising abruptly, threw 
himself into a low chair. “ Oh, inconsistency, thy 
name is woman ! ” Shaking his head : “ You just 
called me diplomatic, and in the next minute call up- 
on me to commit the gravest offense against funda- 
mental rules of every discussion. Who told you that 
I am not informed of all you promise to communicate 
to me ? When one sends an emissary into the en- 
emy’s camp he is armed with a plan of the terrains, 
and also the address of good friends with whom he 
shall eventually connect himself. Do you consider 
the diplomat, Don Carlos, so impolitic as to do 
otherwise ? His emissary stands before you. 

A feverish excitement seemed to seize Leonie. 
She inclined herself toward him and laid her hand 
upon his arm. “ Enough of this farce ! I no longer 
doubt that you are fully informed of the Counsellor 
of the Legation’s relations with Anna Regina. Off 
with the mask ! I am prepared to talk unreservedly 
to you about the whole affair, and as an ally, I ex- 
tend my hand ! D' accord ? ” 

He bowed low over the hand and kissed it. “ For- 
ever ! ” 

For a moment his eyes flashed. He held, the little 


248 


POLISH BLOOD. 


hand firmly in his own, as though it were a bird 
which one with difficulty had pursued, caught and 
bound securely, lest its smooth feathers might slip 
again through his fingers. 

Madame Von Gartner did not withdraw her soft, 
velvety hand. It was such a sweet, magical spell 
that bound her senses. Struck with sudden blind- 
ness the falcon had fluttered into the eagle’s claws. 
“ Your friend is the Counsellor of the Legation, Mar- 
chese de la Branca ? ” 

Janek made a motion with his head, which might be 
construed as “ No ” just as well as “ Yes.” Leonie, 
however, hastily continued: ga — does he still 

love the Princess?” 

“ He who has made Anna Regina the essence of 
his life will never resign this love.” 

“ Peculiar fantasie — although her timid Highness 
has, so to speak, only regaled him with icy kisses. 
You know that I have taken the whole affair into my 
own hand.” 

“ As a matter of course ! — Branca referred me to 
you. As he paints with a full pencil and bold strokes, 
he does not like to trouble himself with details ; the 
characteristic lights and shades of the picture he in- 
trusts to your skillful, energetic and charming little 
hand.” 

“ Flatterer ! Did he at least give you any partic- 
ulars of their early acquaintance ? Anna Regina de- 
clares that she only gave the handsome Marchese the 
preference in the cotillions, perhaps a little too often ! 
Of course this was a delicious morsel for the gossips 
in her native city, who spread the report that she had 
contracted a secret marriage with the Counsellor of 
the Legation. Do you know whether there even ex- 
isted a secret promise of the kind ? ” 

Leonie’s eyes sparkled and the soft, jeweled fingers 
that closed more tightly upon Janek’s right hand, 
were like sharp claws, greedy for prey, clutching for 
their victim. 

“ I beg of you, Excellency, do not forget that we 


POLISH BLOOD. 


249 


write down platonic Germany as a ‘place of action ! ’ 
Poor Carlo yearns like the pine for its distant palm. 
A sigh, a smile, voila tout ! Anna Regina never 
even permitted him the pressure of her delicate 
finger-tips, and Branca was enthusiast enough to set 
up in his heart this saintly image, which bore the 
features of Anna Regina.” 

Madame Von Gartner shrugged her shoulders with 
a half scornful, half disappointed air. “ What a white 
raven, among his coal-black comrades ! Generally 
speaking, these worshippers offer up their sacrifices 
upon a different kind of altar, and to tell the truth, 

I much prefer the flame that burns to the eternal little 
lamp that only shines ! But if the whole courtship 
did but amount to a slight paroxysm of sentimental- 
ity, why should August Ferdinand be so jealous?” 

“ Because, as is well known, he had a very sad ex- 
perience with his first wife, and the world likes, as 
you well know, to make a mountain out of a mole- 
hill. But you were just about to give an account of 
the manner in which you became lady patroness of 
this lyric pair.” 

Leonie nodded thoughtfully. “ About a year ago 
Branca was here. Anna Regina had, previous to that, 
strongly attached herself to me, and sought advice 
and assistance in regard to accommodating herself to 
her strange, new life here. One evening, deathly 
pale from intense excitement, she whispered that she 
must see me the following morning and converse, un- 
disturbed, with me concerning a very important mat- 
ter. At an unusually early hour I presented myself, 
and after a short tete-a-tete found myself elevated to 
the rank of her most confidential friend. I was in- 
formed also that Anna Regina had received a letter 
from the Marchese, in which he announced his visit 
on the following day, and at the same time most 
humbly begged her highness for a letter of introduc- 
tion to a certain personage at the court of X., where 
he, as Counsellor of the Legation, had been trans- 
ferred. 


250 


POLISB BLOOD, 


“ The Princess trembled with excitement, for it had 
been but a few days previous that August Ferdinand 
and she had had quite a little scene of which jealousy 
was the cause. She implored me to telegraph Branca 
under my name.” Madame Von Gartner interrupted 
herself, and laughed sharply. “ The whole affair was 
entirely harmless, my dear Proczna, and if Anna Re- 
gina had not been — a little simpleton, she could have 
confuted immediately anything of a compromising na- 
ture, by sending the petition of the Marchese to her 
husband ! But she had completely lost her head — 
and I . . . Mon Dieu ... I was also completely discon- 
certed and confused. Had I calmly considered the 
matter as I do to-day I should have given her the 
above advice, but, as I said before, an absurd and 
romantic idea induced me to encourage the Princess 
in her over-anxiety to keep the whole affair a secret. 
Besides I pitied her, for I imagined it was an un- 
happy love affair ; and instead of telegraphing, I in- 
vited Branca, incognito, and surprised Anna Regina 
two days afterward by the laconic hillet doux : ‘ Carlo 
is here with me, and begs a few moments’ audience. 
I guarantee perfect safety and discretion ! 

“ As a matter of course, the little lady replied in a 
billet, which sounded very much like a rendezvous, 
and arrived here an hour later, half dead with fear 
and excitement.” 

An indescribable expression lay upon Leonie’s 
features, a cruel triumph of deliberation and of cun- 
ning. 

“ And the conference took place in your pres- 
ence?” 

Her Excellency laughed aloud. “ No, Proczna; I 
am not quite so indiscreet as all that ! Of course, 
Anna Regina would not permit me to leave the 
room, so I stepped to the window-niche and counted 
the bright window-panes in this market place. An- 
other day I summoned the Princess to give a personal 
reply to Branca. I hoped to do the two a favor . . . 
but a fact, Proczna — I might have remained calmly 


POLISH BLOOD. 


251 

seated, for I never read in my life anything more tedi- 
ous and solid than the conversation of the two lovers, 
even in ‘Haunchen and the Kiichlein,’ and would you 
believe it, the Marchese is as handsome as a picture. 
Not till after her Highness had given him a melting 
glance ; graciously permitted her hand to be kissed, 
and withdrawn, did I notice what dangerous eyes he 
had ; but they did not dawn full upon me until I had 
in some degree jested his sentimentality away from 
his soul.” 

“ For the past I cannot make you responsible, you 
sorceress ! ” laughed Proczna with an expressive 
glance, “ but for the future I shall keep my dear 
friend at a distance. Happy Branca ! I am also senti- 
mental, Excellency ; why are you pitiless for me 
alone ? Why not jest the shadows from my heart ? ” 

Leonie bowed her little head coquettishly to one 
side : ‘‘ Because this time. . . I am in earnest.” 

“ Why do you not invite me to visit you incog- 
nito ? ” 

She bit her lips and turned as though offended. 

“You have made me wiser; I am very vain, my 
eyes are just as handsome as those of the Counsellor 
of the Legation.” 

She gave him a hurried glance. “ Just as hand- 
some ! — how modest ! ” 

“ And what was right for him is proper for me. . • 
I shall insist upon my right ! ” 

“ Tell me how you will begin, mon petit fanfaron 

“ You but mock yourself. I can show you.” 

“ And in what way, if one may ask ? ” 

He bowed still lower over her. His ej^es laughed 
as he spoke, yet an angry glow flashed from them 
through the laugh. “ I shall not come to practice 
music with you, until you invite me just as incognito 
and just as ^rosa ’ as the Marchese.” 

“Really? Must one be so polite as to believe 
that?” 

“ My word upon it.” 

She threw back her head and laughed convulsively. 


252 


POLISH BLOOD. 


In the adjoining salon footsteps were heard. A 
servant asked whether his Excellency could listen to 
the music. 

“ Certainly I ” 

“We will return to our notes, your Excellency.” 

Leonie rose slowly. “We shall drop the theme of 
our conversation, Proczna — until we take it up again 
— I mean Anna Regina’s affair. I can rely upon 
you ? ” and she laid her finger significantly upon her 
lips, stepped close to his side, and gazed languish ing- 
ly up infco his face : “ There is no stronger tie that 
binds two human souls than a common secret, there- 
fore I make you my confidant. ” 

Janek bowed low over her hand. It was impos- 
sible to read the effect of these words in his coun- 
tenance. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

On the Franz-Ulan parade ground, some distance 
beyond the city, there was exhibited at an early 
morning hour unusual life for that season of the 
year. The corps of officers had determined to avail 
themselves of the mild state of the weather and show 
the former Cuirassier Guard that Reuseck’s mad, 
wild troop could do the honors in the open field as 
well as in the equestrian school. 

The ladies viewed the spectacle from their carriages. 
Madame Von Hoftraten alone sought to preserve the 
reputation of her fellow-sisters, and came trotting on ^ 
the “ Rake,” an unusually long-legged squadron horse, 
which Count Hechelberg, at his own risk, had placed 
at her service, as the dappled gray was still on the 
sick list. On slie came, at her husband’s side, across 
the fallow fields, to the place of rendezvous. 

Janek accompanied his foster-sister, and Prince 
Heller-Hiiningen amused himself by pressing his ele- 
gant sorrel close to the carriage, and now and then 


POLISH BLOOD. 


253 


with a skillful jerk, bringing the slender head of liis 
steed close to Bicky’s rosy cheeks. 

“ Darling only wants to smell your violets ! ” teased 
the young officer, laughing, as Miss Drach shrank back 
into the furthest corner ; “ the rogue has good 
taste, and is accustomed to sugar, so you see he feels 
drawn to you.” 

“ Indeed, 1 have not a bit with me.” 

NHm'porte ! You are so sweet yourself, Bicky.” 

Captain Hechelberg raised his eye-glass and turned 
his head toward the speaker as though electrified. 
“ Now may the Turks strike me dead ! — where, then, 
did this youngster pick up all these scorching 
speeches? No, Beauty-patch, ’twon’t do! That 
falls back upon me. You are in my squadron, the 
most solid of the whole regiment, and people will 
think you learned this style of courting from me. 
My dear young lady, I consider it my duty to warn 
you against this, our youngest lieutenant. He does 
not mean it ; he is only fibbing. . . . Sooner or later 
I must have him shot ! ” 

“ Shot ! ” Bicky stared at the speaker as though he 
were an apparition. “ You dare not do such a thing 
unless one has deserted, as in the story of ‘ Haide- 
grab,’ and then it would be frightful . . . outrageous 
of you to talk so I for Donat is the nicest gentleman 
of your regiment, and I assure you he has never done 
anything wrong in his life — ” 

Every one in the vicinity laughed aloud except the 
drillmaster, who forced a severe expression on his 
red, shining countenance. 

“ Indeed ! really ! It is hard luck for Hiiningen 
thatyou cannot write out his promotion. You would 
decorate his shoulders with all the stars of the 
heavens. — I wonder, however, what you would think 
if I were to open your eyes concerning Mon- 
seiur ” — 

“ Do not make me unhappy. Count, I cannot do 
otherwise than send you my second I ” 

“ J ust let him talk, Donat ! I do not believe a 


254 


POTASH BLOOD. 


word he says,” interrupted Bicky, eagerly, trying 
to comfort Donat. 

Hechelberg, however, assumed a martial air, and 
nodded to his second, “ Good ! we exchange cards. 
You fire to-morrow morning from 11 to 12 — I from 
12 to 1 — of course over a handkerchief.” 

“We shall see about that,” said Miss Von Drach, 
with bated breath and flashing eyes. 

Xenia and the Chancellor, much amused, besought 
the drillmaster to send them the chapter of the 
Chronique Scandaleuse which would contain the name 
Heller-Hiiningen as a heading. 

With a ferocious mein the Count twirled his long, 
light blond mustache between his fingers. “ Listen, 
ladies, and then pass your judgment upon this incor- 
rigible young lieutenant. You are very well aware 
that I took him into my squadron for the purpose of 
exercising a good influence over him, and that I have 
endured him with incredible forbearance ever since ! 
What have been my thanks ? The young chick has 
grown over the old hen’s head, and dances now upon 
her very nose ! A single example will illustrate the 
case. Last summer, as misfortune would have it, my 
squadron, when out upon a drill, ran into a wooded 
mountain. Forward they could not go, and whether 
it was haw-gee they knew not. The requirements 
of the service are, that in the presence of the drill- 
master everything the lieutenant does is wrong. 
Therefore I blew up our ‘ Beauty-patch ’ in a furious 
manner, and informed him that he should always 
have at hand a special chart of the unknown ter- 
rain ! ” 

“ Bumm ! ” 

“No interruptions, little one. Another day we 
halted at the same place. Suddenly our young lieu- 
tenant, who, during the ride, struck me as being un- 
usually padded, drew forth from under his military 
cloak what seemed to be a large book. He proceeded 
solemnly to unroll it, and at last revealed an im- 
mense map. Large and larger it grew, until horse 


POLISH BLOOD. 


255 


and rider disappeared from sight, as though behind a 
Spanish screen, and down upon this his Highness 
stared and stared, as though he could not get enough 
of it. 

“ ‘ Well, Hiiningen, what in the deuce have 
you got there?’ asked I, riding up to him, and 
without raising his eyes the hopeful strategist in 
great eagerness cried out ‘ studying the terrain, 
Captain ! ’ . . . The affair up to this point was very 
praiseworthy, ladies, but the best is all to come. 
Deeply troubled by his intense eagerness, I bent low 
over the paper, and beheld — the map of Europe ! ! . . . 
Tableau., mesdames ! . . . And such a conscienceless 
fellow, who coidd play such a trick upon his best 
friend and superior officers. . . . Would you, could 
you, in future, believe his sugared compliments ? ” 

The hasty tread of a horse’s hoofs announced Prince 
Reuseck. The officers rode to meet their com- 
mander, and among the jockeys, who held the un- 
saddled horses and short whips in readiness for their 
masters, there arose a lively commotion. 

Janek Proczna saluted the ladies to the right and 
left, and again directed his steed to the equipage of 
Madame Gartner, who of course bound him to her 
side. 

Xenia’s gaze fastened itself upon his laughing 
countenance. He seemed to feel it, and, turning his 
head suddenly, he looked her full in the eye. He 
said a few hasty words to Madame Leonie, and in the 
next moment was at Xenia’s side. 

“Did you call me?” he asked, bending forward 
and giving her a searching glance. 

Xenia set her lips together and raised her head. 

“ No.” 

Madame Von Drach and Bicky bowed forward 
from the other side of the carriage and shook hands 
with the Countess Ettesbach and Tarenberg. Janek 
bowed still lower. 

“ One need not call with words, Xenia,” he con- 
tinued, with a gentle tenderness in his voice. “ After 


256 


POLISH BLOOD. 


a long separation you have invested me not only with 
the rights, but the duties of a brother ; I call upon 
your forbearance if I neglect my unaccustomed office, 
and beg of you to command whenever you need me.” 

Xenia gave him a hasty glance. “ Is it then nec- 
essary that I should remind you of those gallantries 
which you seem to confer upon other ladies as a 
matter of course.” 

“ Certainly . . . the greatest stranger here among 
the ladies is not so distant from me as you, Xenia. 
You have a particular measurement for me, and what 
other ladies regard as polite you might think offi- 
cious.” 

“ Janek Proczna has up to the pi^psent moment cast 
down all barriers, and that, too, without asking a 
human soul’s permission.” 

“ Tempi passati! The hour in which your own 
will recalled Hans Stefan Dynar from the dead placed 
Janek Proczna’s bold daring in chains ; what the un- 
fettered artist combats must the representative of an 
honorable name respect, and wait until the hand that 
so coldly repressed him of its own free will recalls 
him.” The last words were spoken jestingly, and 
brought a smile also to Xenia’s cfiarming countenance. 

“ I shall hold you to your word, Janek, and put 
your promise to the test. Who knows how soon it 
may be before you will sigh under the burdens im- 
posed by a sister’s claims. My first revenge will be 
that the huge wreath of flowers destined by Count 
Hechelberg for the victor may adorn the neck of your 
noble steed ! ” Xenia seemed another being, and 
never before had appeared so gay and animated. 

“ Mon Bieu, Xenia, I must decline this favor,” he 
laughed in merry mischief. “You would break the 
charm her Excellency has already woven about it. 
Two good fortunes of a kind will render each other 
null ; besides superstition requires that some ‘ token 
of tenderness ’ be connected with it, so I really pre- 
fer to have Madame Gartner assume the r61e of Fate.” 

“ As you wish — certainly, , , , I withdraw,’^ 


POLISH BLOOD. 257 

Again the tone of voice was short and cold, even 
though the Countess at the same time smiled. 

“ Reserve your intercessions to-day in my behalf 
for fate. I shall probably have greater need of them 
in another race, where the stake will be much greater 
than this garland of gay flowers.” 

“ When you are forsaken by her Excellenz I shall 
do so — perhaps ! ” 

Janek’s countenance for a moment wore a very 
earnest expression. He caressed the slender neck of 
his steed and remained silent. At that moment Ex- 
cellency Von Gartner’s carriage left its place, and 
taking a short cut, was soon at the side of Countess 
Dynar’s equipage. 

“ I must hear this weighty discussion going on be- 
tween this brother and sister,” she cried laughing, 
and at the same time extending her little hand, in- 
cased in its long Swedish glove. “ You both look so 
angry — have you had a quarrel?” 

This sounded very heartfelt and confidential, but 
at the same time there was something very tantaliz- 
ing about it. 

Proczna laughed aloud almost insolently. “ Cer- 
tainly, Excellenz. Without war one could never 
conclude peace, and one must first contend before 
he can win a victory. I have been waging war here 
for the slave’s fetters, but my sister thirsts herself for 
this badge of the lowest class of the household ! ” 

“His Highness has set day after to-morrow for 
the stag-hunt,” laughed her Excellency, raising her 
lorgnette to observe Prince Reuseck, who was just 
approaching the carriages to greet first the Countess 
Kany, and the Baroness Zeutler, the maid of honor 
by proxy — a pale, delicate young girl, who still re- 
garded the world with amiable eyes. “We ladies 
will all ride together, — even I, who sit very insecurely 
in the saddle ! — Of course I shall need a gallant pro- 
tector on either side, and if possible, skillful horse- 
men. Flanders, my attentive cavalier, will of course 
accompany me, but he will not be enough.” 


258 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Xenia drew her tall, commanding form up to its 
full height and her eyes flashed defiantly upon the 
speaker. “ Donat will consider himself happy, Ex- 
cellenz, to be your cavalier, and certainly he will do 
all honor to the post of trust.” 

“What? — Prince Heller-Huningen I thought a 
hereditary as well as a nearer right bound him to 
your side ? ” 

Xenia threw back her head. “No ! — ^for this oc- 
casion I have . . . commanded my brother to my 
side.” Her glance turned upon Proczna in one great 
burning question. 

“Ah, you jest! — impossible. . . Brother and sister ? 
Wearisome unto death!” Madame Von Gartner, 
really chagrined, clapped her fan together and shook 
her head. “ At that I rebel ! Against such a thing 
I shall enter the field.” 

Proczna laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “ I 
am convinced, Excellenz, that your weapons, though 
the keenest and accustomed to victory, will not be 
successful this time.” 

“ As a matter of course if I cannot count upon 
succor from your side ”... Leonie interrupted her- 
self and turned like a pouting child to Xenia : “You 
are selfish in the highest degree. Countess. You 
may be compared to the rich, hard-hearted man in 
the Bible, who took the last comfort and penny from 
his poor neighbor. Why do you wish to take from 
me at the very last moment the only cavalier whose 
protection I would really enjoy?” 

“ In order that all the others may not thereby be 
driven from your presence, and in desperation shoot 
tliemselves.” 

“You little calumniator!! I have always said, 
whoever possesses the power of evil never lacks the 
malice to put it into execution ! Proczna, help me a 
little ; perhaps our united attack may make a breach 
in the pitilessness of this beautiful soul.” 

An angry flash from Xenia’s eyes, then with an 
air of great iudifierence, she replied : “ If my brother 


. POLISH BLOOD. 259 

prefers to ride with you, Excellenz, of course, I re- 
sign.” 

“ Ah, magnifique ! Did you hear, Count ? ” 

“Yes, I heard; but it will be a grave affront if 
Xenia does not immediately assure me she was jest- 
ing.” 

“ Mon Dieuy how difficile ! ” Leonie laughed some- 
what nervously. “ Is such a play of words allow- 
able between brother and sister? Your gallantry, 
my dear friend, is simply sensitiveness, which would 
turn in irritation against the sisterly hand, if it were 
not for its kid glove. You certainly do not wish, 
Xenia, that Proczna should ask your permission. 
You must give it to him. Will you not? ” 

Countess Dynar drew her head still higher, while 
about her mouth trembled an expression of obstinate 
determination. “No!” she responded, austerely. 

“Both of you seem not to have slept well,” 
added Madame Von Gartner, with an attempt at 
jesting, while a sharp, malicious expression mingled 
with her light laugh. “And with people who have 
not dined well, or have stood first upon the left foot 
upon rising, one should not attempt a discussion. 
But to you, inexorable Countess, I throw down the 
gauntlet ; and 1 shall use every effort to make your 
Janek Proczna disloyal. You have, however, much 
the advantage of me, as you have overwhelmed your 
brother, through long years, with love, kindness and 
friendship. You have in proud acknowledgment 
strewn before him his first laurels. You have fevered 
with impatience to proclaim him brother to the world.” 

The mocking, jeering tone of Leonie’s voice sent 
the hot blood into Xenia’s cheeks. Her lips trembled, 
and her breath came short and quick as she saw the 
cloud on Janek’s brow. 

“ You are mistaken, Excellenz ! ” she interrupted 
in a low voice. “ Unfortunately all these marks of 
love and favor and affectionate companionship have 
been wanting in mine and Janek’s life. Heaven 
knows, my fault alone ! And as you have just reprc- 


260 


POLISH BLOOD. 


sented to me how matters should have been between 
us, I doubly feel how much I have neglected, and 
for how much I must make amends ; and for this 
reason you will all the more readily understand why 
I cannot resign him as an escort, but, on the con- 
trary, endeavor to bind him as firmly and as long as 
possible to my side.” At which she extended her 
hand with the warmest sincerity to Janek. 

“ How solemnly you say all that, Xenia,” laughed 
Janek, gallantly drawing the extended hand to his 
lips. “ You would pay debts for which there are no 
creditors, and lend to our little skirmish the most 
amiable points imaginable. And when to that we 
can assure our charming opponent that all opposition 
has been only a protection for the but little fire-proof 
heart of your foster-brother, then will three victors 
withdraw from the combat ! May T ask the favor, 
Excellenz, at the next sleighing party of spanning 
my horses before your triumphal car ? ” 

Leonie, with a charming sprightliness, threatened 
him with her fan. “ To engage one for a sleigh-ride 
when the sun shines and the winds blow warm is 
cheap gallantry ! ” 

“ I shall order salt to be strewn in our pathway.” 

Madame Gartner bowed again low over Xenia. 
“ You know your brother. Countess ; why do you 
not hang a sign, with the word ‘ Caution,’ about the 
dangerous man’s neck ? One is treading on slippery 
ground in his vicinity.” 

Xenia nodded as though absorbed by some other 
thought. It seemed to her as though a cold snowy 
air suddenly passed from the laughing face of the 
Pole and settled upon her own. 

Prince Reuseck drew reign beside the equipage^ 
and disturbed Madame Von Drach in a very animated 
conversation with the occupants of the neighboring 
carriage ; he extended his hand to Xenia, nodded over 
to Madame Von Gartner ; Drillmastor Von Hoftraten 
announced that Mr. Von Plane! lers, who, for some 
unknown reason, had not appeared,, was, now m sights 


POLISH BLOOD. 


261 


which induced Count Hechelberg to utter for him 
the very surprising quotation, “Now let the gush 
begin.” 

The gentlemen took their leave in order to mount 
their race horses, and Leonie motioned Proczna 
again to her side to whisper a few mysterious words 
into his ear. “ I have something to communicate to 
3’'ou — the cause of Flanders’ delay . . . come very 
soon ! ” 

Proczna for a moment looked her steadily in the 
eye, “ Only incognito ! ” Then with a stiff bow he 
turned his horse’s head about. — — — — 

Madame Von Hoftraten had reigned in her steed 
at the end of the line, where, with protruding under- 
lip and eager eyes, she observed the animated and 
amusing spectacle of the unsaddled horses preparing 
for the race-course. 

The gentlemen endeavored to range their, for the 
most part, impetuous steeds into line. Jests and 
witticisms flew thick and fast, then expectant silence. 

“No flag signal ! . . . The bell ! ” cried Prince 
Reuseck over to his carriage. 

The “ Rake ” pricked up its ears, inflated its nos- 
trils and gave a wild snort. Madame Von Hoftraten 
paid no attention to these signs of activity on the 
part of her steed, but concentrated her whole atten- 
tion upon the Princess Reuseck, who, standing in 
her carriage, by preconcerted agreement, was to give 
the signal for the start. 

“ Attention ! ” resounded again. 

The “ Rake ” pressed forwards toward the line of 
race-horses. For a moment Madame Hoftraten 
rocked in her saddle. Mechanically she drew the 
mare’s reins. 

The bell in the hand of the Princess resounded 
shrill and penetrating through the air ; and, as though 
with one bound, wild and almost unrestrained, 
stormed the horses, dashing past one another ; on, 
on they went. The drivers of the carriages whipped 
up their horses in order to follow the race at the 


262 


POLISH BLOOD. 


shortest possible distance . . . and the “Rake?^’ 

Ringing laughter resounded from the equipages. 

As though electrified by the signal and stimulated 
by the sight of the race-horses the brave schwadron 
steed, freed from the reins, shot forward with out- 
stretched neck, and long, outstepping legs after the 
racers. 

Madame Von Hoftraten did her utmost to re- 
strain the runaway — cried, held back — in vain. P er- 
fectly mad with eagerness fled the “ Rake ” after the 
officers, faster and faster as though borne on wings 
of the storm. 

Beyond the help or advice of any one hung the 
plucky Hollander in her saddle ; the air whistled in- 
to her ears, and every shake and shock that the 
miserable bony frame of the mare gave her con- 
vinced her that even in her dreams she had no idea of 
the signification of the full-blooded English racer. 

Madly they tore on ! 

The situation became critical. Madame Von 
Hoftraten, seizing the dernier ressort, threw her arms 
about the horse’s neck. At the same moment away it 
dashed forward among and then past the racers. 

“ For God’s sake, Madame, where are you going ? ” 
cried Hechelberg. 

“ Dun-know ! ” came back, in tones of mournful 
desperation. 

The laughter of the officers died away in the wind. 
The “ Rake” had outrun the English full-blood. 

Blank astonishment pictured itself upon every 
countenance. Anything so astounding had never 
occurred within the memory of the regiment. 

Madame Von Hoftraten, upon an ordinary squad- 
ron horse, had beaten the Emperor, Franz Ulaus! 
The wife of the drillmaster rode triumphantly into 
the barracks yard as victor, upon the “ Rake,” which, 
bearing upon its lean neck the huge wreath, elevated 
its homely profile for the first time with an arrogant 
air of conscious superiority. 

At the joint dinner Count Hechelberg drank Ma- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


263 

dame Von Hoftraten’s health in a glass of Schmollis 
— a fact which was also recorded in the annals of the 
regiment. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

After the race the gentlemen again gathered 
around the equipages, in order to be expedited “ by 
axle ” to their homes. 

Donat quickly sought a place at Bicky’s side. 
Madame Von Hoftraten took a seat in Proczna’s car- 
riage, and was followed by her husband and Count 
Hechelberg. Excellency Von Gartner had but a 
single place vacant in her cabriolet, and she motioned 
Janek to her side. 

“ Flanders will do the honneurs to the married 
couple, Hoftraten, in your stead. — I wish to chat 
with you a little.” 

Proczna gave a hasty order to a jockey, and sprang 
into the equipage. 

Xenia watched the horses as they sped onward, and 
the long feathers of Her Excellency’s Amazon hat 
undulating in the breeze, until a sudden turn of the 
road hid the vehicle from view. 

“ Are you then not at all curious, Proczna ? ” 

“ I burn ! ” 

“ Shall I be cruel and avail myself of the latest and 
most interesting piece of news as a magic thread to 
draw you back upon the contemptuously-deserted 
piano-stool in my boudoir? ” 

“ What power could your silken thread have in 
comparison with the heavy cable of masculine obsti- 
nacy ? You well know the charm that has the power 
to call me back to my post. Why are you so avari- 
cious with your writing-paper?” 

“ Because I wish to see whether Janek Proczna 
really is as spoiled and wayward as the wicked world 
maintains.” 

“Such a thirst for information makes me doubt 


264 


POLISH BLOOD. 


the goodness of your heart. One must enjoy the 
feasts as they come, and take people as they are. 
Just so soon as one puts on his sharp spectacles he 
spoils his own sight and the fun of others in the mas- 
querade of life.” 

Leonie leaned her beautiful head still farther back, 
and turned her gaze full upon the face of the speaker. 

“ Your jests have a peculiarity. Count, — a singular- 
earnestness. But you are right. The world is a 
great masquerade, aud he that can draw the fool’s 
cap the lowest over, not only his own ears, but those 
of others, certainly has the merriest time.” 

A peculiar expression lay for a moment upon the 
young man’s ingenuous countenance. 

“Not always, Excellenz, audacity and arrogance 
do not always succeed. Now and then a wolf invades 
a sheep-fold, and finding himself among the weak and 
harmless, tears away even the deceptive mantle of 
the bell-wether.” 

“ And suppose this ruler of the weak should be 
crafty and wise enough to place at his side two watch- 
ful friends whose teeth are sharp enough eventually 
to combat the wolf?” 

A meaning smile played about Janek’s mouth. 

“What do you understand by the word ‘friend,’ 
Excellenz? The world is very generous with this 
title, and human beings are often so blind, they think 
that unless war has been openly declared, perfect 
peace reigns.” 

Leonie smiled almost sympathetically : “ My dear 
Proczna, one must possess much naiv4td and very 
little knowledge of human nature, to mistake appear- 
snce for truth and base metal for gold ! ” 

“ Dust can blind at times even the sharpest eyes, 
and gallantry and flattery are often so finely powdered 
that they whirl more dangerously through the air than 
the fine burning ashes of the volcano.” 

Leonie drew herself up, and looked laughingly into 
the speaker’s face. “ Enough of metaphor, you sus- 
picious creature ! Do you think that I do not know 


POLISH BLOOD. 


265 


at whom you are aiming your arrows ? Poor Flan- 
ders ! He is so often misjudged ; his pointed mus- 
tache and lame foot terrorize some people, who still 
remember their nursery rhymes about the diahle hoi- 
teux., and they do not stop long enough to ask for an 
explanation of that limping drama ! Rest at ease, 
mon ami ; upon Flanders can I swear ! Even though 
he were not faithful from motives of devotion and 
conviction, he would be from selfishness, for I am as 
necessary to him as he is to me. He makes use of 
me as a kind of snow-plow to clear the way of what- 
ever is annoying, and I need a ‘ Hans ’ in every cor- 
ner to pick up my handkerchief when it falls. This 
would be the harshest and most sarcastic significance 
I could give our friendship. That, however, he 
really honors me as a woman ” — 

“ A beautiful woman ! ” 

“ hien — a beautiful woman adored — a convic- 

tion with which I can not inoculate you, it seems.” 

“ From the full consciousness tliat you are more 
than a beautiful woman have I suffered for a long 
time. ” 

“ Thou mocker ! Is it possible, I wonder, for one 
to hold your attention for five minutes to one thing ! 
The first houses are already in sight, and yet not 
one word have I spoken of that which consumes my 
soul.” 

“ I hold my breath ! ” 

“ To be brief, Proczna, you must help me ! The 
affair is as follows :” Leonie raised her little head 
with an air of determination. “ The artillery are to 
celebrate one of their St. Barbara feasts this evening 
— their patron saint, as you well know — and will 
combine therewith the consecration of a picture 
which some genius of the ‘ bomb-throwers ’ has per- 
petrated. Now Flanders tells me that August Fer- 
dinand, in a paroxysm of weakness and philan- 
thropy, has promised to lend his presence to the affair, 
in case he recovers in time from his present indisposi- 
tion. I imagine this same indisposition, which no 


266 


POLISH BLOOD. 


one seems to know anything about, is already a re- 
tou7'-billet^ but, mon Dieu, who can tell what the in- 
sinuations of a Gower might do ! The fellow is over- 
anxious to elevate his class, and triumphs in the dis- 
tinction offered to the lieutenant of the artillery. Un- 
til now August Ferdinand has only honored the Ula- 
n’s feasts with his presence, to the disgust and envy 
of the artillery, and now to enter heart and soul into 
the feast of St. Barbara ! This is the first heroic deed 
of the new lieutenant, who besieges his Royal High- 
ness’s ear with the words ‘ fellowship,’ and ‘ fraternitj^ 
of arms.’ The gallant Gower has miscalculated ! I 
detest the commander of the artillery regiment, and 
I will show him that when a stubborn head arrogantly 
refuses to bow to the friendly beckoning of a 
woman’s hand he will find in the end that his cranium 
will run against her delicate finger tips.” An ex- 
pression of unutterable triumph glowed in her Ex- 
cellenz’s eyes. She inclined her little head close to 
his ear and fairly chuckled: “The dubious position 
of the two artillery regiments is my work, Proczna. 
They dared to oppose me, and I revenged myself 
upon them.” For a moment she was silent, while 
her sharp eyes riveted themselves upon Proczna’s 
thoughtful countenance. 

“ Of what are you thinking, Count? ” 

“ I am reflecting upon some means to prevent the 
Prince’s visit to the Artillery casino. — You ask my 
assistance. Excellenz, and at the same time boast 
of a woman’s influence. Mon Dieu! You do not need 
my advice.” 

“ Yes, I have a plan, though of a somewhat des- 
perate nature, it is true — but feasible in case of great 
necessity. Anna Regina, as you know, has a slight 
cold. It would be an easy matter for me to induce 
the little lady to simulate symptoms of a severe in- 
disposition, thereby detaining August Ferdinand 
from the supper.” 

Janek’s lips for a moment were pressed tightly 
together, while an angry flush rose to his very tern* 


POLISH BLOOD. 


267 


pies. Then with a light laugh he forced himself to 
appear very incredulous. 

“ Do you really believe that the Princess would 
consent to dupe her husband in such an artful man- 
ner? I should never assume for a moment talent of 
the kind to belong to her.” 

Leonie gave a cruel little laugh. “ I shall very 
soon cultivate the talent for her, — do not be alarmed. 
My influence is sufficiently powerful for that.” 

“ Thanks to the imprudent billet doux of the little 
lady.” Proczna laughed outright. “ I dofl my hat 
to you, Excellenz, and feel myself a head taller by 
being honored with the friendship of the cleverest 
woman I have ever met.” 

A cloud lay for a moment on her Excellenz’s 
brow. “ Every one has his hobby, — mine has always 
been ambition. Love has treated me shabbily, and 
fettered me to the side of a man who has always 
been a torment and burden.” 

“ Spread your shining pinions, and fly over your 
prison walls.” 

Leonie’s gaze sank deep into the eyes before her, 
then the dark lashes veiled her own. “ Could I but 
find a heart beyond these prison walls whose passion- 
ate ardor could make me believe in love and its 
nameless, sweet intoxicating happiness ” — she inter- 
rupted herself and looked roguishly at him. “The 
all-mighty at court sees that his favorites are decorated 
with ribbon and stars ; your buttonhole has always 
such an empty air, Proczna — I shall see that it bears 
my colors.” 

Janek drew the little hand to his lips. “The 
cross and star I have never craved, my fair friend. 
I know a better decoration on which all my dreams 
and aspirations are bent — a rosa leaf of paper, upon 
which I may read that I am the happiest man in the 
world ! ” 

Leonie withdrew her hand. “ People are standing 
at the windows and observing us. Do you wish to 
furnish food for the gossips ? Let us come to a conclu- 


268 


POLISH BLOOD, 


sion. Consider the matter of the St. Barbara feast 
again, and put your wits to work to settle upon a plan 
of action. Inform me before six o’clock ; — if I do not 
hear from you then my plan will be put into execu- 
tion ; I shall drive directly to the Countess Kany and 
consult with her.” 

“ You know, Excellenz, how unlucky I am with 
my schemes. Remember my unfortunate effort with 
Madame Gower ! — nevertheless, I shall rack my 
brain to place all my little raffinements at your 
service.” 

“ Good will is worthy of the deed ! Au revoir,^ 
mon ami. Perhaps I shall buy the ‘ rosa paper ! ’ ” 

The carriage stopped before the hotel, the first 
story of which was occupied by Janek Proczna. The 
coachman sprang from his box, and with uncovered 
head held the door open. Proczna took leave with 
graceful thanks, and continued to salute the beauti- 
ful woman until the horses fell into a fast trot ; then 
passing by his devoted butler he ascended the stair- 
way and stepped into his smoking-room. His coun- 
tenance wore a different expression ; a mixture of 
pain and displeasure traced its sharp lines therein, 
and his respiration came so deep and hurried that it 
was almost like a groan. 

He threw himself into a chair and leaned his 
head heavily upon his hand, his lips were as com- 
pressed as though he suffered physical pain. 

“ Oh, Anna Regina, were it not for your sake ! 
Did not your wretchedness cut me to the heart — did 
not my sense of justice rebel at the unworthy treat- 
ment you are compelled to endure, I could not under- 
take this contemptible r 61 e, against which every 
nerve and fiber of my heart revolts ! But what 
weapon has man’s hand in defense against woman’s ? 
Cunning against cunning — treachery against treach- 
ery.^ It is right and noble to enlist in the cause of 
the innocent and oppressed, to tear the mask from 
hypocrisy’s face, and free the tender plant from the 
poisonous parasite. Would that I could face an 


POLISH BLOOD. 


269 


opponent in open, honorable combat. This is a cow- 
ard’s warfare, whose weapons are snare and deceit.” 
Proczna pressed his hands to his eyes ; his pride, his 
gallantry rebelled against the r 61 e he was about to 
assume, to humble a woman. A woman ! — Is Excel- 
lenz Gartner worthy of the tender name ? No, by 
sentiments as wicked as ever emanated from the 
brain of man, she lowers in the dust that very 
womanhood that should make her sacred. Is one a 
coward because he catches the wasp prudently by the 
wings, instead of clutching it with the open hand ? 
She must be treated like her kind, and outwitted. 
I abhor and detest this woman as though she were a 
serpent, and yet I am obliged to let her coil about 
my heart in order that I may be able to secure her. 
For you alone do I do this, Anna Regina — for you 
and your unhappy tortured smile — for your wearied 
eyes, which speak of countless tearful nights — for 
your and your husband’s happiness, which wicked 
hands seek to destroy, in order that ambition may 
have its sinful sacrifice. 

Janek shook the luxuriant hair back from his brow, 
sprang up and paced the room hurriedly several 
times. An expression of iron determination lay upon 
his countenance. 

“ Does Madame Leonie at any time battle with 
honorable weapons ? — She lets fly her venomous 
arrows from out a well covered ambush. She knows 
no pity for tlie tyrannized woman whom she has made 
the instrument of her will. She must expect to be 
measured with the same instrument with which she 
so arbitrarily measures her neighbor.” 

The brow of the young man became tranquil again, 
joyous confidence beamed in his eye, and about his 
lips quivered an expression bordering upon humor, 
which philosophized : “ The deception of one’s self is 
often as easy as the deception of another is difficult. 
Holy Barbara, stand by me, that I may bring honor 
and victory to your feast.” 

A short time afterward Janek left his hotel and 


270 


POLISH BLOOD. 


repaired to the Castle ; he liad left several orders to 
his valet, together Avith two billets, which required 
immediate attention. One bore the address of Ma- 
dame Von Gartner, the other Lieutenant Flanders. 
In the latter he begged the gentleman addressed to 
excuse him to the corps of officers for his non-appear- 
ance at the general dinner, as an unforeseen circum- 
stance would prevent his being one of their number. 

Deep silence reigned in the cool vestibule of the 
Castle, whose heavy moist air, peculiar to old 
palaces, blew through it like a solemn, deep-drawn 
breath. 

The portier, with a respectful bow, stepped aside, 
and two footmen in livery hastened eagerly from 
behind the iron-latticed door of the lackeys’ apart- 
ment, to receive the orders of his lordship. 

“ Is Lieutenant Gower to be seen ? ” 

The well-frizzed heads bowed at the same time. 
“The Lord Lieutenant is at present engaged in the 
work cabinet of his Royal Highness, but in less than 
a quarter of an hour he will drive home, as he will 
not dine at the Castle. If his lordship would tarry 
a moment ?” 

Proczna nodded assentingly. “ I have time, and 
can wait ; announce me as soon as the Lord Lieuten- 
ant is disengaged. The matter is important.” 

“ Will your lordship be so good as to follow me ? ” 

Like a shadow the lackey glided up the broad, 
filigreed iron stairway. 

A vast corridor, square as a dancing hall, decorated 
its full length with life-sized portraits of noted magis- 
trates and city officials, extended along the first 
story. Twelve low, time-browned doors, master- 
pieces of old German wood-carving, led into adjoin- 
ing halls and reception-rooms for official entertain- 
ments, while a somewhat narrower hall, laid with 
thick, soft carpet, led from the right through the 
quite extensive front wing. Cross and diagonal pas- 
sages branched off from this. Small spiral staircases 
united the different stories. Door upon door, with 


POLISH BLOOD. 


271 


here and there visiting cards affixed. “ Melanie, 
Countess Kany,” read Proczna in passing by ; two 
doors farther — “ Ida, Baroness Zeutler.” 

He remembered that he had made the acquaint- 
ance of the young maid of honor that day. She had 
told him, with a truly martyr-like smile that she had 
been obliged to keep her apartment on account of 
severe colds. She was not accustomed to wear dS- 
colletS dresses, which, together with standing for 
hours in cool apartments ! — Poor, little Ida, even in 
the parquet must one pay dearly for experience. 

Behind the next door the crying voice of a child 
was almost drowned by a decidedly English tongue 
shouting : “ God save the Queen ! ” 

“ Aha, the little Prince — he is taking his sleeping 
draught of patriotism.” Proczna laughed softly to 
himself. “ If the English nurse does not succeed, 
her German colleague will let loose. '•Heil Dir im 
Siegerfzranz^ Ah ! then if these fail in their laudable 
efforts the French woman is brought into requisi- 
tion.” 

He wanted to take a peep at the little first-born to 
see whether he had inherited the large beautiful eyes 
of his mother. The footman opened the door. “ May 
I ask your lordship to follow your obedient servant 
to the Adjutant’s room ? ” 

The agreeable warmth of the Dutch tile stove and 
the odor of a fine cigar met the guest upon entering. 
The curtain of the window before the writing-desk 
was drawn back, and the bright light fell upon the 
manuscripts which lay outspread upon the table, as 
though the young officer had just hurriedly left 
them. Books in modest binding, upon military or 
scientific subjects, maps, rough drafts, trigonometrical 
instruments, lay upon the table in the center of the 
room, apparently a refreshed reminiscence of the 
journey with the General’s staff, which Gower had 
made shortly after completing his studies at the mili- 
tary school. 

Suddenly two sharp voices sounded without in the 


272 


POLISH BLOOD. 


corridor. Two maids seemed to be quarreling — then 
a door was slammed. Perfect silence afterward — a 
bell tingled shrilly, followed by an impatient warning 
— the Countess Kany. Again silence. Their hur- 
ried footsteps approached, the door was hastily 
opened, and with a loud, hearty welcome Lieutenant 
Gower came forward with outstretched hands to meet 
his guest. After a short exchange of question and 
answer, Proczna drew the Adjutant down upon the 
stiff-backed sofa beside him and laid his hand upon 
his shoulder. 

“ Will you do me a favor, my dear fellow ? ” 

“ Command me ; I am at your service.” 

“ The Prince is interested in my collection of arms, 
and besought me to show them to him when the cases 
arrived and were unpacked, which is now the fact. 
His Highness gave me permission to set the hour 
most convenient for his visit, and for this purpose I 
am here to-day. Could you not induce the Prince 
to drive by my hotel between the hours of six and 
seven ?” 

“ An unusually late hour. His Royal High- 
ness is expected to be present at a love feast at 
eight o’clock.” 

“ I am aware of it. You shall not be detained, 
and perhaps will drive from my hotel direct to the 
Casino. But of course this must be entre nous.^* 

“ His Highness still hesitates somewhat whether 
he will really attend the feast ; you know he is still 
suffering from an indisposition.” 

“My dear friend, if you can induce the Prince to 
inspect my arms to-day I shall be greatly indebted to 
you. Do not ask any explanation of this request, 
but believe my honest face that it is something that 
lies very near my heart ! ” 

Gower warmly pressed the extended hand. 

“ I shall go immediately and bring the Prince’s 
decision. You may rest assured that I shall do all in 
my power to have your wish fulfilled. Au revoir. I 
shall be at your service again as soon as possible.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


273 


The door closed behind the slender figure of the 
Adjutant. 

Softly ticked the small time-piece upon the writ- 
ing-desk, and a single sunbeam played over the silver 
smoking-service, which Gower, in silent invitation, 
had pushed toward the guest. With his head bowed 
thoughtfully on his breast, Proczna paced to and fro 
in the room, yet his step made no sound in the soft, 
thick carpet. 

Nervous excitement had seized him. He must 
spare Anna Regina the torture and the grief of 
duping her husWid for the sake of an intriguing 
woman ; he could not, and dared not, suffer the un- 
fortunate lady to be forced into such a degrading 
comedy. 

Proczna was determined in the extreme. He knew 
what he cast into the balance if he were to unmask 
himself now, and tear up from the very foundation 
laborious work which he had prepared through long 
years. “ What bound him to jeopardize his own 
happiness for Anna Regina ? ” . . . Proczna drew 
himself up : “ My conscience and my honor ! If I 
have not the courage to stake my all for the princi- 
ples I represent, in opposition to such a person as 
Madam Gartner, I drag my deeds and actions into 
the very mire itself. Then were I not woman’s 
champion, but a pitiable intrigant, who stakes only 
when he has nothing to lose. But Janek Proczna, 
body and soul, pushes on for the goal for which he 
aims. Come what may, then, Anna Regina, I shall 
defend you I I shall strike to the earth whatever 
may seek to oppress you, even though the blow may 
shatter my own happiness.” 

The door moved softly on its hinges. Lieutenant 
Gower, with smiling, eager countenance, stepped over 
the threshold. Proczna’s glance hung upon his lips. 

“ His Royal Highness will be with you at five o’clock, 
my dear sir. He bid me express his sincere thanks 
for your amiable readiness.” 

Janek breathed more freelv. ‘‘ Z>o you think the 
18 


POLISH BLOOD. 


274 

Prince will return to the castle before the souper f 
It will be some time before six o’clock ! ” 

The Adjutant shrugged his shoulders, butProczna, 
seizing his hand with eager precipitation, gazed be- 
seechingly into his eyes. One cannot tell how long 
we may chat. Sometimes time flies faster than one 
is aware. Remember the fable of the Queen of Na- 
varre ! But promise me one thing : leave an order 
to send the Prince’s crest and orders to my hotel, in 
case it does not occur to his Highness to come in 
costume for the souper. Perhaps it will be necessary 
for him to drive from me directly to the Casino ! ” 

“ The Sphinx is an open book in comparison to 
you, Proczna ! ” laughed Gower in his gay, happy 
way. “ Even though I can in nowise put a con- 
struction upon your wish, yet I promise you by the 
sincere, hearty respect I entertain for you, to consider 
your request as a command.” 

As Janek Proczna descended the castle stairway a 
happy, confident smile illuminated his countenance ; 
Lieutenant Gower accompanied him, although he 
yearned like a young bridegroom for his young wife 
and cozy household. It was very interesting to hear 
him talk. He expressed his opinions in a plain, com- 
mon-sense manner, nothing could be more foreign to 
him than the consequential air of the court sycophant 
who in the absence of his patron, assumes that 
royalty was created to be the foil of the adjutants. 

Proczna involuntarily thought of Mr. Von Flan- 
ders ; he thought of the charming fans he could 
paint, of the entertainments he understood so well to 
arrange. Gower had the bad taste to speak of for- 
eign military affairs, which could only be of interest 
to the ambitious candidate. 

As the paths of the two gentlemen separated they 
pressed each other’s hand, as though they had been 
dear, life-long friends# 


POLISH BLOOD, 


275 


CHAPTER XX. 

Janek Proczna stood in the central salon of his 
hotel under the fully illuminated chandeliers, whose 
bright rays broke in thousand-fold reflections upon 
the polished metal shields and bucklers, or called 
forth quivering scintillations from the jeweled clasps 
of the different daggers, pistols, Turkish sabers and 
swords that lay in readiness for the Prince’s inspec- 
tion. 

His gaze fixed itself upon the clock; there re- 
mained but six minutes before the arrival of the 
Prince, whose military punctuality was well known 
throughout the city and country. 

Proczna knew no nervousness, nevertheless he 
paced the room with restless steps, now and then 
stopping to pick up from the table some particular 
costly or original piece from his collection of arms, 
and to gaze thoughtfully down upon it. It seemed 
as though he were drawing from memory the histori- 
cal or private significance connected with each. The 
number, indeed, was not great, — a connoisseur how- 
ever would require a long time for their inspection. 
A lover could soon pass over the terrain, and what 
if the Prince should drive back to the castle to kiss 
the little hand of his consort “ good-night? ” 

An angry flush rose to Janek’s brow. His right 
hand crushed the fragrant hillet doux he had just re- 
ceived from Madame Leonie : “ I can scarcely be- 
lieve that your plan of detaining the Prince for the 
inspection of your arms will be of any avail. To en- 
tertain such an idea of a man who carries a timepiece 
in his breast instead of a heart is certainly so naive 
I have enjoyed a hearty laugh at your expense, mo/i 
petit roi de sale! Nevertheless you may try it; I 
shall at all events visit the Countess Kany and hold 


276 


POLISH BLOOD. 


myself in readiness for operation in case his Serene 
Highness slips at an all too early an hour through 
your fingers.” 

The Lord of Proczna, almost panting with indigna- 
tion, pressed his teeth together, as he cast the little 
note into the fire, — a carriage stopped before the 
hotel, — below in the corridor the hastening footsteps 
of the servants were heard. 

Janek haughtily threw back his head. With a 
firm step he passed into the reception-room to receive 
his Royal Highness. 

August Ferdinand was in an unusually good humor. 

“ Let me enjoy your society a little while, my dear 
sir, before you permit me to view your collection. I 
feel like the Hermit on Marks-Riff, who detained the 
birds of passage in their flight, in order that they 
might tell him how it looked out in the wide world.” 

‘‘ If Marks-Riff lay here on this northern continent, 
your Highness, I am convinced that the swallows 
must have built their nests under the Hermit’s roof.” 

The Prince, laughing, sank into an easy-chair. 
“ For a short time perhaps, until the storm began to 
shake it. Then they were up and away. He who 
sings the songs of ardent longing, returns ever to 
his sunny home — sooner or later. No laurel that a 
southern sun lured from its germ has ever taken root 
in our northern soil.” 

“ I am a Pole, your Highness.” 

“ Your nationality — that is, your certificate of 
birth — is expressed in the Polish language. Your 
exterior being is but the envelope for the artist’s 
soul, and it unfolded its pinions in Italy and Paris, 
where Apollo breathed the consecrated kiss upon 
your brow. But I should think that such a spiritual 
regeneration would loosen all the national ties of 
blood and also bind you as a being to that little spot 
of earth which gave you birth for a whole world, and 
your own highest destiny.” 

Proczna smiled almost sadly. “ There is a com- 
mon saying among our people, ‘ Polish blood nevej* 


POLISH PLOOD. 


277 


denies itself.’ Like the magnet with its inexplicable 
force, though it be cast on the most distant sea or 
land, it still turns to the north. So a mysterious 
power binds the heart of the Pole to his native land. 
It ensnares with its thousand magic threads the 
fugitive’s foot. It lures and draws one back, like 
tlie pulsation which drives the son to his father’s 
breast. People say so — who can prove it ! Not un- 
til I became a man, educated by German people, did 
I learn the Polish language, aud nevertheless it flows 
easily and fluently from my lips, and pleases my ear 
like a mother tongue.” 

“ Because you knew you were of Polish extraction ! 
Fancy is a powerful cheat, and lends a never-ending 
amount of material to encourage the imagination.” 

“ Very true, your Highness ; but it is now and then, 
nevertheless capricious. How often I would have 
liked to imagine myself happy, and how willingly my 
fancy would have encouraged me therein ! Art and 
pliantasy generally go hand in hand but not with me. 
Often in the full enjoyment of my success have I 
closed my eyes and dreamed of the whirling snow- 
flakes, ill northern storm, and the lonesome, tower- 
ing pines, and my heart hung with a nameless long- 
ing on my cold, earnest northern home ! ” 

August Ferdinand smiled as he raised his head. 
“ And now we are the gainers thereby. It is to be 
hoped that the charming saying concerning Polish 
blood may be confirmed, and that the German edu- 
cation will not deny itself, in order that we may have 
the advantage of holding Janek Proczna a willing 
captive here in our midst on the boundary of Germany 
and Poland.” 

The conversation turned upon other themes. The 
Prince drew Lieutenant Gower into the conversation, 
and after some time had elapsed he arose to inspect 
the arms. 

For a moment Janek’s glance sought the clock — • 
the hand indicated a half an hour had passed. His 
aim now was to make capital out of his studies in 


278 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Paris, to recount without fatiguing — to liold without 
straining the rope — “ The fable of the Queen of 
Navarre.” 

August Ferdinand stepped to the table and ex- 
amined the whole arrangement with a critical eye. 

“ I like to see a rare gem with a costly setting, and 
I enjoy with double relish a dish served with refine- 
ment ; the costly coverings indicate the noble pearls 
they inclose.” 

He picked up a pistol and inspected its peculiar 
engraving. 

“ You have not attached any labels or descriptions. 
My dear Count, will you act as a cicerone to my 
curiosity ? ” 

“ If your Royal Highness will permit a detailed 
account, for the chief interest does not lie in the arm 
itself, but in the history connected with it.” 

“ Charmant! Let us begin immediately with this 
piece — a construction wholly unknown to me.” The 
Prince attempted to cock it. “ Did you ever try to 
shoot with it ? ” 

“ Attempted, yes, your Highness ; but I must ac- 
knowledge that I am a very poor shot. Besides my 
two hobbies, singing and riding, I wrestle with no 
talent, no passion. This pistol was a present from 
the Duke de Valence — the settlement of a wager 
concerning the Gouttes d'or.'" 

“Ah! I have been informed that you are per- 
sonally acquainted with the Duke, and besides, that 
the aforesaid Gouttes d*or gave our brave Heckel- 
berg three sleepless nights I ” 

“ The Count still obstinately maintains that my 
case was probably genuine, but the wine, nothing 
more nor less than old wine, with a fine flavor.” 

“Simply old wine?” August Ferdinand gave a 
quick glance. “Then he must be convinced. For 
years I have drank a choice brand of the R — Mon- 
astery, with the Abbot of which I am personally 
acquainted. My wine-cellar is at your disposal — - 
suppose you make a comparison,” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


279 


“ The unsettled question would be most surely 
decided if your Highness would have the kindness 
to subject my Grouttes d^or to the test.” Proczna’s 
eyes brightened as he stepped to the bell-cord. “I 
should be proud and happy to offer to a German Prince 
and General a goblet that has stood upon the table 
of one of the greatest Emperors.” 

August Ferdinand nodded in his matter-of fact, 
pleasant manner. “ Certainly, my dear Count, it 
would be very agreeable for me to make the acquaint- 
ance of your much-spoken of brand. . . . All the 
more if my host, with the glass, will relate some his- 
torical reminiscence connected with it.” 

Proczna, bowing his thanks, stepped to the por- 
tiere, and whispered a short order to his valet de cham- 
hre ; then returning to the Prince’s side, he began 
in an amusing and animated manner to play the 
cicerone. 

An exceedingly animated conversation ensued. 
The gentlemen tested the different arms, exchanged 
opinion for opinion, and tuiTied and twisted the thread 
of their discourse across and through a labyrinth of 
new, strategic and ciyil affairs. 

The G-outtes dor sparkled in the tall cut glasses ; 
bluish cloudlets of smoke curled in the air from 
their cigars. Janek Proczna’s aristocratic, uncon- 
strained, and at the same time respectful manner to- 
ward his royal guest, betrayed more than anything 
else how accustomed he was to receiving the distin- 
guished in his house. 

August Ferdinand was unusually animated and 
perfectly in his element ; he was a passionate lover 
of the chase and a famous pistol shot ; his eye beamed 
with pleasure at the sight of this antique art in the 
workmanship of arms. 

In order to test whether the arms were useful as 
well as ornamental, Proczna besought the Prince to 
make a trial of them. Munition was brought, pistols 
loaded and a target placed at the extremity of the 
second room ; all this consumed time. In the mean- 


280 


POLISH BLOOD, 


wliile the humorous anecdotes related by Count Dynar 
served as a “ filling for the pauses.” 

His hasty glance sought unnoticed the golden dial- 
plate : his breast almost panted with agitation another 
quarter of an hour and all is won ! August Ferdi- 
nand, the painfully punctual, had then missed the 
hour of invitation, and would drive without further 
delay to the Casino ? But how detain him longer ? 
The collection had been inspected, and August Fer- 
dinand looked as though inquiringly at Gower. 

“Your whole dwelling appears to be composed of 
choice curiosities, my dear sir,” he laughed, glancing 
at an ancient manuscript that Proczna had accident- 
ally pushed from the piano, and then with great care 
picked up from the floor. 

“ Tlie time-worn paper is probably the most valuable 
piece these four walls conceal,” said Proczna, hastily 
catching up the question. .“Chopin’s own hand 
writing.” 

“ Ah, is that so ? Please let me see it.” The 
Prince extended his hand toward the leaves, and at 
the same time turned his head as though listening 
toward the window, “ It is raining.” 

Gower hastened to the window. “ It is so, your 
Highness. The moist weather makes itself felt in 
every way.” 

“Very unfortunate. . . . I ordered the carriage to 
return, with the view of taking a little promenade, 
the air was so delightfully mild ! . . . Apropos,, my 
dear Gower, it is high time to think of our departure.” 

August Ferdinand’s glance passed to the writing- 
desk in search of a timepiece. 

“ I promised to be present at a feast which the 
artillerists are to give in their Casino.” 

“ Ah, at the uncovering of the St. Barbara picture ! 
The regiment is to be congratulated, for it is really 
not only amusing and very original in design, but at 
the same time a valuable work of art, which the 
youngest Lieutenant has presented his regiment.” 


POLISH BLOOD 


281 


“ Then you know the picture, Count? You have 
seen it ? ” 


“Yes, your Highness. One of the gentlemen was 
so agreeable as to give me the pleasure. ” 

“ A caricature ? ” 


“Not in a coarse sense, although the picture is not 
free from a fine and graceful humor.” 

“Please describe it” — 

“ The conception of the holy Barbara, the patron 
saint of the artillery, is the same noble ideal as that 
of the Sixtine Madonna. Instead of the child, she 
holds in one arm a small cannon, in the other an ex- 
ploding grenade. The little angels at her feet are 
likewise grouped as in the classical painting, with the 
difference, that they are young lieutenants with 
epaulettes on their naked shoulders, helmets, mus- 
taches and cigarettes, an exceedingly powerful and 
humorous drawing.” 

The Prince laughed aloud. “ Capital ! It must 
indeed be an original production. I must by all means 
see it I Accept my sincere thanks for this interesting 
hour, my dear Proczna . . . Dynar or Proczna — I 
scarcely know which name to give yon.” August 
Ferdinand extended his hand toward his host. Gower 
reached toward the sword of his royal master, but 
Janek hastened to pull the bell-cord. 

“ Your Royal Highness will, I hope, grant my horses 
the favor of taking you to the castle. It is raining 
very fast now, and I should eternally reproach myself 
were your indisposition to become worse through 
your visit. Besides, to walk would detain you too 
long.” 

“ Detain too long ? Gower, what o’clock was that 
just struck?” 

“ A quarter before eight, at your command, your 
Royal Highness.” 

Proczna made a sign to his valet de charribre^ but 
August Ferdinand laid his hand upon the young 
artist’s sholder. “ What in the deuce have you done 
to make the hours pass as minutes, Proczna? Your 


282 


POLISH BLOOD. 


costly arms have been the means of my being tardy 
for the first time in my life. For it will be impossi- 
ble for me to be in the barracks in a quarter of an 
hour.” 

“Would your Highness not order the carriage to 
drive from here directly there?” 

The Prince looked down for a moment, as though 
undetermined. “It was my intention to put on 
another order and my gloves.” He took both from 
Gower’s hand, and looked critically at them. At 
the same time Gower exchanged a rapid glance with 
Proczna. 

“ Begging your Highness’s pardon, I anticipated the 
time it would take to view the rich and interesting 
collection, and ordered your necessary articles of 
toilet here at half-past seven. 

“ Excellent ! That was a capital thought, my dear 
Gower. Will you have the kindness to see whether 
your order has been punctually obeyed ? Perhaps I 
shall still have time to drive by the castle and inquire 
about the health of the Princess.” 

“ Gower ! together with everything I 

need. Thanks a thousand times, my dear sir, and your 
story, Proczna, until by your amiability the horses 
are ready ? The story of that written manuscript, I 
mean.” 

Proczna, who continued to roll the manuscript in 
his hand, bowed and offered the Prince the yellow, 
closely written leaves. 

“ There is a certain reminiscence connected with 
this simple paper which, in my opinion, must be of 
interest to every one. ‘A elW — an unpublished com- 
position of Chopin’s — ^the only one that bears a light 
and playful character. The words were dedicated to 
one of the greatest singers of the Grand Opera in Paris. 
She sang the principal r61e of one of Meyerbeer’s 
operas for the first time in this, the city of the world.” 

“ Ah, a merry song of Chopin’s ? How did you 
come in possession of this curiosity?” 

“In a very original manner. An exhibition of 


POLISH BLOOD. 


283 


artistic and historical objects of value had been given 
at the Tiiileries for tlie benefit of an orphan asylum. 
Whoever possessed very antique or interesting works 
were induced to send them as a loan to the committee, 
and these formed the most varied and motley objects of 
the collection. I was walking through the different 
halls, on the arm of a friend, at an early hour one 
morning, before the arrival of visitors. In a little 
glass case we discovered this manuscript of notes, 
with the affixed notice that it had been kindly loaned 
by the owner, Mr. Giacomo Meyerbeer. I read the 
words with intense eagerness, and hummed the melody 
after the scarcely intelligible notes. ‘ That is some- 
thing you ought to have, mon ami ! ’ cried my friend, 
full of enthusiasm ? ‘if you could only step before an 
audience and sing this couplet from — Chopin ! . . . 
Imagine the effect ! ’ ‘ Yes, to sing a couplet of that 

kind so that the great master would not turn in his 
grave, and to sing it so one could hear the tears of 
the great composer fall through his laughter would be 
exceedingly difficult, gentlemen I ’ said a voice close 
behind us. A strange gentlemen had approached us. 
‘ And suppose we know some one who can sing this 
masterpiece as it should be sung ? ’ replied my friend, 
almost annoyed. ‘Then that one would be — Janek 
Proczna! ’ ‘And suppose Janek Proczna stood before 
you?’ The stranger looked at me fora moment with 
a piercing gaze ! 

“ I laughed. ‘ No one else but him and you ? ’ — A 
thought suddenly flashed through my head ? I now 
knew why the old gentlemen looked so familiar. 
‘ You are the owner of this costly manuscript ! ’ A con- 
vulsive twitching passed over the wrinkled features. 
He almost looked pleasant as he extended his hand. 

“ I was the owner,’ he replied, taking a lead-pencil 
from his pocket and striking out the name of Meyer- 
beer from the label, to scribble the name of Proczna 
in its place. After that day I became a frequent 
visitor at the home of Meyerbeer, and one day when 
I sang this couplet to him, he pressed my hand, and 


284 


POLISH BLOOD, 


with tears in his eyes, pleaded, ‘ Only sing this to warm 
appreciating hearts, Proczna, never to the public. 
This song is the butterfly upon the garland of white 
flowers, of the Chopin escutcheon.” 

August Ferdinand extended both hands toward the 
speaker. “ I have a warm heart, Proczna, and a sin- 
cere interest in this song. Do not regard me as the 
public.” 

Below an equipage rolled before the door. 

Janek placed his notes upon the piano. 

“ If your Highness will permit, I shall render this 
in accordance with Meyerbeer’s taste.” There was 
something so sincerely reverential and engaging in 
the voice and gestures of the Count as he seated him- 
self and sang. 

In the meanwhile eight distinct strokes sounded 
from the clock on the wall. Now, Madame Gartner ! 
Then a hasty, hearty farewell. “ Direct to the Casino,” 
commanded August Ferdinand; “it is too late for 
further delay ! ” 

The sound of the wheels and horses’ hoofs died 
away in the quiet, rain-flooded street. For a moment 
Janek Proczna pressed his hands to his temples. 

“ This evening has made you my debtor, Anna 
Regina,” he almost panted. “ The last few hours 
were the longest I ever counted by seconds in my life.” 

The valet de chamhre entered and asked whether 
supper should be announced. 

Proczna considered a moment. “ Bring me my 
cloak and hat. I shall take tea in Villa Florian this 
evening.” 


CHAPTER XXL 

The rain had gradually ceased. A delightfully 
fresh, though somewhat cool air fanned Proczna’s 
brow as he passed through the deserted walks. — His 
gaze wandered up toward the fleeting clouds, which 
continued to divide more* and more. From the 


POLISH BLOOD, 


285 


branches fell heavy drops in the paths below, the 
moist pebbles glistened like silver, and to one side a 
few remaining withered leaves whispered to the 
wind. 

Janek walked slowly along. All was calm within 
him now, the billows of excitement had become ap- 
peased, his fevered brow had cooled, and lie felt like 
the mariner who, sure of his course, steers by cliffs 
and through storm to his native harbor. 

In the lower floor of the Villa Florian all the win- 
dow-shutters were closed, but above, from the salons 
of the Countess Dynar, the bright red light streamed 
out upon the leafless tree-tops. 

Softly, as though muffled, the sound of the bell 
trembled through the lower hall. 

“ His lordship the Baron is at the club, and the 
two ladies will drink tea with the Countess Dynar.” 

“ Does my sister expect other guests ? ” 

“ Positively not, your lordship.” 

With a light motion of the hand Proczna passed 
by the servant and ascended the marble stairway. 

A servant stood awaiting his orders above in the 
corridor. 

“^he ladies are still engaged ; may I ask your 
lordship to step into the salon.” 

Janek allowed his damp mantle to be taken from 
his shoulders, then, after bmshing his waving hair 
from his brow, he stepped into the salon. 

“ AA, eharmant ! Glad to see you, my dear fel- 
low! ’’said Heller-Huningen, clinking his spurs, as 
he rose out of a sofa corner to meet the new-comer. 
“We greet thee, thou chosen of the Lord,” he sang, 
in his own peculiar composition, pressing Proczna 
warmly by the hand. 

Miss Bicky, in a charming toilette fluttering with 
ribbtns, sprang from a chair, and clasped Proczna’s 
arm in a stormy welcome. 

“ How delighted I am to see yon, Janek, we are 
playing dominoes, and I have won every game.” 

“ Well, yes, because you have practiced this treach- 


286 


POLISH BLOOD. 


erous game from your babyhood on up to the present 
moment.” — Donat here very skillfully pressed his 
little cousin away from Proczna’s arm, and took it 
himself. “ A frightful game, my dear Proczna, con- 
fusing to the senses to count little black spots and 
form Greek maps in the table — then the fun is at the 
boiling point.” 

Bicky’s countenance glowed with indignation. 
“ Because he does not understand it, Janek, and in- 
terrupts with all kinds of remarks. I even proposed 
the game of the ‘ Hammer and Bell,’ but he de- 
clared that would give him a stroke of paralysis, — 
thereupon I proposed dominoes.” 

“Shameful egotism! I placed myself under the 
French motto, ‘ Better dead than ungallant in a 
strange play,’ for which I have been in an unwar- 
ranted and atrocious manner imposed upon. Think 
of it, to play a whole evening and not win one game ; 
do you think such a thing could go on without witch- 
craft? And here is a box of bon-bons which I 
brought as a pledge, already in possession of my 
partner.” 

Donat, with a long face, secretly pressed his friend’s 
arm and pointed to a plate of confectionery around 
which Bicky had protectingly thrown both arms, de- 
claring she had honestly earned it. 

Donat could, if he wished, take all he wanted from 
the box, but no, he persisted from pure meanness in 
stealing her share also. It made no difference if she 
had bitten each separate piece, still he wanted them. 

Janek laughed aloud. “ Into what abyss of de- 
struction, must I again gaze. The boldest sheep is 
also stolen by the wolf, Bicky! I shall battle with 
my whole strength on your side, for this boy Karl 
begins to be a serious care for me.” 

“No, Janek, try and make peace. I want Donat 
to see that 1 am perfectly right, and really do not 
cheat him.” 

“Very well, I shall be the arbiter. Heller-Hunin- 
gen must acknowledge from honest conviction, that his 


POLISH BLOOD. 


287 


bad luck is owing to the well-known fact that people 
who are unlucky at play have luck in love, and never 
win the great prize at play.” 

“ Luck in love ! — Ah, then, we will let matters go 
on as they are.” . . . Bicky’s eyes brightened up, 
and full of charming naivete, she hastily pushed her 
bon-bon across the table toward her partner. “ Here, 
Donat, I give it all to you — all — and I will not watch 
it any more — but then ”: — she looked beseechingly up 
at him — “you must give me in exchange ‘luck in 

“ Divide it, children, in the one pair of hands, it is 
a shy bird ; in two, it is firmly held.” 

“ Divide it? ” The little maiden shook her curly 
head. “ No, indeed ! Not a soul shall have a bit of 
mine. I shall hide it down deep, deep in my heart. 
At the most. I’ll write in my diary ; • To ’ — and then 
three crosses ” — 

“ Well ! three crosses ! ! ” 

“ And beneath my favorite poem — ” 

“ Thunder and lightning, my little cousin, fire 
away ! I am madly fond of poems.” Donat twisted 
his mustache up into fiercer points, and leaned for- 
ward in a chair. 

“ No — I’ll not tell you.” 

“ Nor me, Bicky ? ” 

She turned hastily around and gazed with a face 
rosy with blushes up into Proczna’s laughing counte- 
nance, then with impetuous glee clung to his arm. 
“ Yes, I’ll tell you, Janek ; you will not laugh at me, 
and to you I owe all my happiness.” 

“It is time this play ceased,’’ said Donat, separat- 
ing the two somewhat forcibly. For the first time 
in his life a deep line marked itself on his brow. 
“We will go on with the game. Count the black 
spots again. ... No more lyrical conversations. I 
cannot endure poetry unto death, and Proczna acts 
as though he understood something about it. Avanti / 
Let us first finish this game, Here is where you left 
ofe,” 


288 


POLISH BLOOD. 


He took possession of the young lady’s arm and 
led her, in a somewhat dictatorial manner, back to 
the table. On one side of her chair rose the protect- 
ing wall ; on the other, the young officer as a bul- 
wark. Proczna was left out in the cold. 

“ Let us play ! ” Donat laid a sweet stake on the 
table with a self-satisfied air, and turning his head 
over his shoulder to Janek, he said: “In the mean- 
while you can amuse yourself with that volume of 
‘ The Bells ’ illustrated, which lies on the little table. 
You will find the adjoining room also very interest- 
ing. It is Xenia’s work-room ; try to pass away the 
time ; it will not be long before the ladies will be 
down.” 

“ Thank you very much for your kind considera- 
tion ! ” said Janek, bowing and laughing to the young 
Prince. “ I shall get the start of you yet, my dear 
comrade; but no ill feeling. You know there are 
rivals in every comedy.” 

Donat laughed good-naturedly. “ The deuce take 
you, Proczna ; you ought to give such an unequal 
adversary as I big odds.” 

At the table the greatest harmony now reigned ; 
they won turn about. 

The Lord of Proczna smiled to himself. The con- 
versation of these two grown-up children had a pecul- 
iar charm for him. At the same time he amused 
himself with the volume of the “ Bells.” 

“Why did you come so late as half-past eight, 
Donat?” 

“ Some horrid writing detained me ... I went to 
the telegraph office to congratulate a friend.” 

“ And did you do your writing in the post-office? ” 

“ Of course — I wrote a dispatch. — But, I tell you, 
Bicky, frankly, you have no idea what a talented 
fellow I am ! huge ! I tell you ! In a single turn of 
the hand the whole thing was upon the paper ; I sent 
my faithful old Ring-uncle Lambkin the heartiest 
congratulations of the day.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


289 


“ What ! and didn’t even make a rough copy of 
’“No.” 

“ And you sent it to an uncle ? ” Bicky folded her 
hands and admired the genius that could shake dis- 
patches from his sleeve with such ease. 

“ Well, not exactly. ‘ Ring-uncle ’ is only a famil- 
iar title used by sportsmen, and ‘ Lambkin ’ a nick- 
name. The fellow was the greatest crack-brain that 
ever appeared in public, and so much of a lambkin 
that several gossips maintained that he always car- 
ried a pistol with him to shoot one more stupid than 
himself, if he happened to meet him. But he still 
lives, — and is otherwise quite a brilliant fellow — one 
you can depend upon.” 

“ Where did you know him?” 

“ I’ve struggled through two or three difficulties 
with him. . . . But go on with the play,” admon- 
ished Hiiningen. “ No ; where nothing is to be had 
the King loses his right. Come down with a five.” 

“Thou golden time of love’s young day I 
Oh, may it ever verdant prove 
That radiant time of early love.” 

And Janek bowed his head stilllower over the beau- 
tiful engraving of “Young Love’s Dream,” at whose 
side the roses bloomed, and over whose heads a pair 
of turtle doves cooed their love ; but the two forms 
opposite him, in flesh and blood, was to him the pret- 
tier picture. 

Donat was now the fortunate possessor of a con- 
siderable winning, which he unselfishly and gallantly 
wished to lay at the feet of his charming partner. 
A struggle of mutual magnanimity now arose ; finally 
it was divided. 

The young officer broke a liqueur-bean, held it up as 
though it were a glass. “ Your health, my little 
cousin,” said he gallantly, and sipped its sweet con- 
tents. 

Bicky, who was just counting over her gains, gazed 


290 


POLISH BLOOD. 


with great round astonished eyes up at him, “ In- 
deed, I did not sneeze at all.” 

Proczna, who had great command of himself, con- 
tinued quietly to turn the leaves of his volume, and 
at the same time observed. 

“ Do you still remember the time you first spoke 
to me, Bicky ? ” 

“No,” fibbed the little maid, with the most inno- 
cent face in the world. 

“ Well, then, listen my little cousin. You never 
in your life looked more like a picture. Thunder and 
lightning, yes, I can still see myself as I stood before 
the Commander’s house like a post, an awkward, em- 
barrassed rogue, with three hairs in his mustache. 

I then thought the most important affair of life was 
standing guard. One day you came along with your 
nurse and i*ecognized in me a cousin. Ha, ha, ha ! — 
what a pretty, cute little thing you were as you stood 
there dropping one curtsy after another — ” 

“ Yes, and you stood there like a post, with your 
face blood-red with indignation, and I meant so well 
by you ! ” ^ 

“ Hem — of course — you see I was so frightfully 
embarrassed because Reuseck put his head out of the 
window, and laughed aloud at the droll picture. In- 
deed, Bick}^ even at that time I was ‘ frightfully ’ 
fond of you young as you were, and I would much 
rather have put my sword in its scabbard and taken 
yon in my arms — ” 

Bicky’s little head lowered like a dew-ladened rose. 
The rich red that spread to her very temples was 
very becoming to her. Donat, with seeming pleas- 
ure, piled the dominoes upon one another, and con- 
tinued in an animated tone : “ Yes, we always have 
been good friends, haven’t we ? — and we always 
agreed, didn’t we ? ” 

“ Even concerning the braid,” thought Proczna, . 
behind his book. 

“ And you haven’t another older, truer friend in 
the world, have you ? ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


291 

^ “ Oh, yes, indeed ! J anek has always been the 
kindest person to me, and I knew him a long time 
before you. Is it not so, Janek? Were we not al- 
ways ‘ friglitfully ’ fond of each other ? ” 

Heller-Huniiigen gave his chair a sudden jerk 
round before the young lady, then extended his feet 
so far that Bicky was completely surrounded. 

‘‘Look here, Proczna, it is positively cruel of you 
to insist upon being present when one wishes to dis- 
cuss you. You tie my hands so completely that I 
cannot intrigue against you at all ! ” 

“ Do not let me embarrass you in the least, my 
dear fellow. In affairs of this kind I am like the 
school-boy, who, on receiving a punishment, made 
but one remark : ‘ Anything that goes on behind me 
does not interest me in the least.’ ’’ 

‘- Brilliant ! You are a good fellow, Proczna ! 
Come, let us all three play together. My aunt, your 
aunt ! ” 

“ In a few moments. I must enjoy this book to 
the end. I cannot tear myself away from it ! ” 

“ Bon ! The whole honbonniire as a stake, Bicky. 
Va banquet’* 

The play at the table was taken up again with re- 
newed zeal. 

Janek rose and stepped noiselessly over the soft 
carpet into the adjoining room. His glance passed 
hastily over the writing-table, fixed itself and then 
remained. 

“ What was it ? ” Yellow parchment — the life his- 
tory of Xenia’s ancestress, which her descendant 
formerly at Proczna had so contemptuously cast 
from her, as though filled with disgust for the Count- 
ess who forgot every sense of duty, and valued the 
love of a Pole higher than name, wealth and home. 
What was this prohibited manuscript doing on the 
work-table of his proud, cold-hearted sister ? 

“ She is not proud — she is not cold,” said a voice 
within him. 

Janek stepped nearer, and gazed down upon the 


292 


POLISH BLOOD. 


time-yellowed leaves, — they lay opened out, with a 
silver pencil between, as though the reader had just 
been called away. Here is a place that is marked as 
though with an uncertain, trembling line. 

The young man’s ej^es wavered for a moment, then 
stared down upon the words before him : “ And this 
same love crept over her like an insidious fever, 
which no medicine could cure. It came over her in 
a night, and left no single quality of her character 
remaining. It was that incurable, destructive thing 
called love.” And, farther below : “ He was of Polish 
extraction, unknown whether or not a nobleman, but 
a mannerly fellow, with long black mustaches, bril- 
liant eyes, full of wit and frivolity, as though created 
to please women.” A few lines afterward : “ She 
knew no other happiness than him, left all, clung to 
him and secretly fled.” 

For a moment Proczna stood transfixed, gazing 
down upon the yellow, ragged-edged parchment 
leaves. A storm seemed to rise in his soul. He 
picked up the manuscript and pressed the lead-pencil 
marks passionately to his lips ; then with a sigh he 
turned hastily, as though the floor burned his feet, 
and passed into the adjoining room. 

A few minutes later Madame Von Drach and 
Xenia entered. It seemed to Janek as though the 
warm, slender hand trembled as it lay in his own. 

“What a delightful surprise! Do you not see, 
Xenia, that we were right in not going to the theatre 
this evening ? And you have been here some time ? 
How very tedious it must have been for you to wait 
so long.” 

“ Oh, no, mamma ; it was not at all tedious. In- 
deed, I was with him from the very first ! ” 

Madame Von Drach tapped the little snub-nose 
jestingly with her fine handkerchief, though her 
voice expressed both astonishment and severity. 

“How did that happen? I told you no visits 
were to be announced to you, unless I were present,’* 


POLISH BLOOD, 


293 


Bicky laughed mischievously; “Nor were they 
announced, dear mamma.” 

“ And nevertheless you came upstairs.” 

“Miss Von Drach pressed the to her 

breast, and roguishly showed her pearly teeth. “ Of 
course ! I watched at the window until Donat came ! 
See here — All won — we have been playing dominoes.” 

“ Ah — ^you see, it is no easy thing to be a mother.” 

“ I have a favor to ask of you, Janek,” said the 
Countess. 

“ Command me, Xenia, you know I am always at 
your service.” 

“ Come ! ” Countess Dynar preceded him into an 
adjoining apartment, on whose wainscoted walls hung 
tlie portraits of the Dynar race, mostly copies, which 
Xenia had ordered from the originals at Proczna. 

On a table of dark porphyry lay a paper roll, of 
considerable size. The Countess picked it up and 
with an effort, to appear calm, said. “August Ferdi- 
nand is interested in our family and wishes to inform 
liimself, with his own eyes, what degree of relation- 
ship exists between the Dynars and the reigning 
lioiise of S. I have therefore had our genealogical 
table duplicated, in order to inform his Royal High- 
ness.” After a moment’s silence Xenia gazed up 
into his face. There was something unusually mild 
and beseeching in the dark eyes. 

“ Shall I take charge of the matter?” 

She shook her head slowly, her white hands un- 
rolled the leaves slowly and spread them out upon 
ihe table. “See,” said she softly, pointing with the 
rosy finger to an empty space opposite to the one in 
which her own name was written. “ Shall I send 
the paper in as it is — incomplete — before strange 
eyes ? ” 

Proczna’s lips trembled, otherwise his countenance 
was the personification of laughing indifference. 

“ The last will of your father empowers you to 
place the name of the self-chosen brother in the 
vacant place if you consider it incomplete. Your 


294 


POLISH BLOOD. 


question can be answered by a stroke of the pen given 
by your own hand.” 

Xenia smiled almost bitterly. 

“ Do you think it would be a great sacrifice then 
for the son of a Kosynier to be irrevocably titled 
with the dignity of a Count?” 

She threw back her head almost defiantly. “ Janek 
Proczna gives me that impression.” 

“ Did I sliow any resistance to your presenting me 
publicly as Count Dynar?” 

Her head sank lower. “ No — you permitted it.” 

“No matter; I became from that moment your 
brother before the world.” 

As though seized with a sudden passion she pressed 
her hands to her breast. “ Yes, my brother before 
the world, and only before the world. You wear 
your name and title as j^ou would a gay mantle, and 
extend one small end to me, as much as to say: ‘here 
is the bond that unites us ; the blood that pulses on 
either side of it is foreign blood, and the thoughts of 
the heads united by one crown are as different as 
day and night.’ Yes, you are a brother, but one who 
extends his finger-tips across a gulf ” 

“ It was not I that placed the gulf between us. I 
went, as you bade me, and I returned when you 
called ; only tell me in what way I have neglected a 
brother’s duty. Ever since the right as a member of 
the family was conceded to me my conscience has 
been clear.” 

He stood drawn up to his full height before her ; 
his voice sounded calm and clear. 

In uncontrollable agitation, Xenia pressed her 
hands together. “What duty you have neglect- 

Her breath came fast, and stepping nearer to him, 
she gazed with flashing eyes up into his face. “ The 
greatest and holiest that was ever confided to you — a 
trust ! You should not have gone away and left me. 
You were the only protector I had in the world. 
You should not have acted in obstinacy and anger — 


POLISn BLOOD. 


295 


should not in impetuous defiance severed every tie 
which a foolish girl’s hands had loosened. You were 
older, and more reasonable than I, Janek, and even 
though I really did drive you from me;, another in 
his confidence and trust placed you at my side, and 
for the sake of that one, our father, you should have 
remained, J anek, for your love for me was the grati- 
tude which he exacted of you. Did he not say any- 
thing at all about it in his last letter ? ” 

The last question was more softly spoken, while a 
warm glow mantled the lovely countenance, and her 
glance, with a strange shyness, anxiously sought his 
eyes. 

A moment of silence, then Janek earnestly shook 
his head. “ No, the letter treated entirely of the 
past, not of the future. But nevertheless I feel your 
reproof, but at the present moment I am not able to 
prove that you do me an injustice.” And impet- 
uously seizing both of her hands, he held them firmly 
within his own. “ What do you require of me, Xenia ? 
Only my name for the vacant place in your escutch- 
eon ? For that so many words were not necessary. 
Let there be no misunderstanding between us. Where 
is the gulf between us ? I stand beside you and do 
not give you my finger tips, but an honest, hearty 
pressure of both hands, and I gaze into your eyes, as 
I did long, long ago, my dear little sister, and ask, 
‘ What have you in your heart, Xenia ? ’ Give me 
your confidence, as in long years ago, before a cloud 
rolled between our souls. Tell me how I may show 
my fidelity to you.” 

A happy smile illumined her countenance. She 
freed her hands from his, and dipping the pen hastily 
into the ink, began to write. “ So — may I ? ” 

He nodded, laughing ; her hand trembled ; never- 
theless she wrote in a firm, clear hand, in the vacant 
space opposite her own, “ Janek Stephan.” 

“ Why Janek and not Hans ? ” 

“ It sounds so strange, and Polish names are just as 
pretty as the German.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


296 

Then throwing down her pen, she ran and placed 
her slender hands on his shoulders. 

“Now you are bonded to me life and soul, Janek,” 
she jested, with a singular mixture of glee and ear- 
nestness in her voice. “Not till I see it here before 
me in black and white can I believe it. And now I 
can openly and honestly say to you, as to a brother, 

‘ Let us think that the long separation was but a 
hateful dream.’ Let us imagine we are again at home 
in Proczna, as long, long ago, when our sad, silent 
father sat at his writing-desk, and we two crouched 
at the fireplace and whispered our Christmas stories. 
Do you not hear how the wind roars by the windows, 
how the fire crackles upon the hearth and see how it 
sends its red sparks out at us — just — just as it did 
then ? And I am again a child, and lean my head 
upon your shoulder, as I always did when I wanted 
to ask a favor, and say : ‘ Janek, will you please do 
something for me ? ” 

“ Janek’s heart and reason had a short, severe, but 
imperceptible struggle with his emotion. To avoid 
the magic of her glance, he turned his head slowly 
and kissed the little hand that rested on his shoulder. 

“Just as I did then,” he said, smiling. “Only 
tell me, my little sister, what you wish. I will do 
and dare for you anything that lies in my power.” 

Janek, do not let yourself become the instrument 
of Madame Gartner. The place at this woman’s feet 
is unworthy of you.” 

Her beseeching glance sought his own. There was 
a mingled tone of agony and supplication in her 
voice. 

“ Excellency Gartner ? — What in the world have 
you against my good friend ? ” 

Xenia buried her little white teeth into her lips. 

“ I hate her — I know no being under heaven’s sun 
so despicable to me as that creature ! ” 

Proczna laughed almost amused. “ You judge too 
harshly, Xenia ; or you have given ear to some slan- 
der. You hold yourself ostensibly distant from the 


POLISH BLOOD. 


297 


lady, and cannot, therefore, judge how charming she 
is.” 

“And when I tell you, Janek, that the greatest 
grievance ot my life befell me through her? ” 

“ And suppose that I am actually in love with the 
beautiful woman ? ” 

Xenia turned very pale, and her eyes became un- 
naturally large as she stared at him. 

“ Chancellor Von Gartner is a very old, and a very 
delicate man,” continued Proczna, lightly. It is 
indeed almost wicked to be on the lookout for one’s 
death, but you know love clings to a straw.” 

“ No, no, Janek^ not that — not that,” came like an 
anguished cry. 

He shook his head almost sadly. “ God grant the 
poor oid Excellency a long life. I am the^ last one 
to count his days. But tell me, Xenia, what would 
you think yourself if the man of your choice were 
hated, aiid I should say, ‘ For the sake of your broth- 
er’s friendship, renounce your love ? ” 

Her hand convulsively seized the back of the chair. 
“You are right, Janek. I cannot tell why such a 
singular, foolish thought possessed me.” A heart- 
rending smile at the same time quivered about her lips. 

“ Each can go his separate way, which is wide — so 
cruelly wide — that joy and sorrow need not touch. 
But you will recall my thoughts if you should mis- 
take your way. One must accustom himself to every- 
thing in this world, even to the thought — of having 
a brother.” 

The maid Gustine had placed the white embroid- 
ered night-dress on her pale, silent mistress ; sounded 
in vain and listened for the cause of the strange al- 
teration she observed in her appearance during the ^ 
last few days, and finally disgusted closed the door 
behind her. But after considerable time, as she crept 
on tip-toe to the keyhole, she saw that the lamp still 
burned upon the toilet table, and that the Countess 
Dynar, with her face buried in her hands, was weep- 
ing bitterly. 


298 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Finally the hot, tired eyelids closed and thoughts 
wove themselves into a dream. Red flames rose up- 
on the hearth and seized a white sheet of paper. . . 
“ Give it back — you are destroying my life’s happi- 
ness ! ” sobbed the dreamer, and in desperation she 
seized the fire’s glow. ... In vain ! — her father’s 
letter falls to ashes through her fingers. And the 
whirling smoke clouds assume the derisive, laughing 
face of Excellenz Von Gartner. The distorted image 
grows, and finally screams into her ears: “Never 
will a sweeter love creep into his heart . . . and thine 
the fault.” 


CHAPTER XXII. 

The carved stag’s, head, with its wide-spreading 
antlers, which had stood guard for many a long 
year over the door of the little hunting-seat Tan- 
nenforde, bore a huge cedar wreath about its slender 
neck, and above it from the Swiss gable, two flags 
waved a festive welcome. The pale sunlight, often 
completely obscured by the hurrying clouds, fell 
without the least warmth u[X)n this little forest idyl, 
and the wind swept sharp and cool through tlie low- 
hanging branches of the pines. It had frozen in the 
night, and the white frost still lay upon the forest 
ground, and the leaves whirled merrily over its 
hardened surface. 

Nevertheless, an unusual commotion was visible in 
and around the old forestry house which August 
Ferdinand had selected as the rendezvous for his stag 
hunt. 

The hounds rebelled impatiently against their 
’ leathern thongs, the spearmen and foresters, uni- 
formed in green, jostled one another in little groups 
eagerly boasting. The Grand Master of the hun- 
ters delivered his last orders, and then, lifting his 
hat, gave a hearty “ woodman’s hallo-ho ” to the 
cavalier officers in their gay, bold hunters’ costumes, 


POLISH BLOOD. 


299 


as they came dashing up through the forest paths. 

This hunting club recruited itself almost entirely 
from the Ulan Regiment, whose ladies, of course, 
appeared in the saddle with their accustomed elegance, 
to share in the sport. 

^ Perfectly charming were they in their close-fit- 
ting, iDright scarlet jackets, gold embroidered, high- 
standing collars, and dark skirts ; jaunty little hats, 
or jockey-caps, sat lightly upon their powdered hair, 
which the Countess Ettesbach and Tarenberg wore, 
as original reminiscence of their great grandmothers 
at the fox hunt. 

Equipages began to arrive. Madame Von Drach, 
together with her daughter and husband, enveloped 
in costly furs; Chancellor Von Gartner, who wished 
to admire his lovely wife in the “ gay field ; ” the wife 
of the Grand Master of the hunt, and finally, as an 
indication of the approach of the Court, Baroness 
Zeutler and Madame Gower. 

A great number of curious spectators formed a dense 
wall on each side of the forest path, along which the 
hunt was to pass. 

“ We are complete, valiant Hollander,’’ announced 
portly and comfortable Count Von Hechelberg to his 
iriend. Madam Von Hoftraten, who was engaged in 
blowing more energetically than gracefully into her 
frozen hands. Very ludicrous she appeared in her bright 
red jacket which fitted her plump figure so snugly 
that the slightest movement made every seam groan. 
Besides the bluish red of her cheeks struggled in 
vain to rival the brilliant tip of lier nose. The dap- 
pled gray was again in the field and stamped the 
forest ground as though fully conscious of his worth. 
“ Just as ponderous as ever,” murmured Count 
Hechelberg at the first view, piously folding his hands. 
“ Madame Von Hoftraten and her dumpling equal 
together fifteen hundred pounds. The grass never 
grows on ground over which these have hovered.” 

“ And so you will hold irrevocably to your cruel 
resolution. Countess, of keeping your brother a pris^ 


300 


POLISH BLOOD. 


oner,” Excellenz Von Gartner leaned a little forward 
in her saddle and whispered to Xenia with a very- 
sweet smile, at the same time giving a pointed em- 
phasis to the word “prisoner.” 

“ Irrevocably, Excellenz ! Why do you covet my 
modest triumph of holding for a short period a bird 
that ever constantly languishes for your fetters ? 
Believe me, he will very soon break my slender 
thread and fl}’- back to you.” 

There was something unusually calm and mild in 
Xenia’s manner. The impetuous, irritable spirit of 
the few days previous seemed to have disappeared. 

Janek Proczna pressed his steed on through the 
crowd and the equipages to greet the ladies right 
and left. Never did his strikingly handsome figure 
appear to better advantage than in this iaunty hunt- 
ing costume. 

The Princess Peuseck detained him at the side of 
her restless steed. The Countess Ettesbach and Ta- 
renberg sought to lure a compliment from him in 
reference to their “ powdered ” heads, and Madame 
Von Hoftraten gave him the “ Ulan grip ” with 
almost barbarous sincerity. “ Can you keep a secret, 
Proczna?” asked she, squeezing his finger until the 
joint cracked. This was one of the charming little 
jokes, which the Pole acknowledged by quotation 
from Heine ; 

Oh, blissful torment and rapturous woe I 
The pain like the pleasure unbounded, 

For while the mouth’s kisses filled me with joy, 

The ‘paws’ most fearfully wounded.” 

The ‘ paws ’ did not seem to irritate the gay Hol- 
lander in the least. 

Janek Proczna made a long and a willing pause by 
the side of the Baroness Zeutler’s equipage, and bade 
Madame Gower a hearty and sincere welcome to the 
service of Diana, even though it were only in a pas- 
sive sense. Then turning his horse’s head, he re- 
joined his sister. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


301 


Excellenz Gartner barred his passage with her rid- 
ing whip. “ Have you not anything to say about 
the non-success of my plan, conte 

“ A great deal, but not here ! ” 

Where then ? ” 

“ In the soft carpeted chamber, there waiteth my 
beauty ; I fly to her arms,” sang he softly, and for 
the beautiful woman alone, at his side, intelligible. 

“ Then come ! ” . Her eyes flashed “ welcome.” 

“As soon as you call me — on ‘ rosa ’ paper, Ex- 
cellenz. You know my preference for ‘ rosa ’ paper.” 

With a half impatient, half-pouting expression, she 
tossed her head with its jaunty little jockey cap. 

Proczna rode on, and took no further notice of her 
during the rest of the day* 

“Tyrant ! ” was whispered once only in his ear as 
Madame Gartner pressed her steed close to his side ; 
he simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders. 

The clear, jubilant notes of a horn rang out through 
the forest — the “Prince’s call,” which welcomed 
Prince Ferdinand and the equipage of his consort to 
the rendezvous. 

Prince Reuseck, Baron Von Kroppen and Lieuten- 
ant Gower formed the royal suite, to meet whom the 
master of the hunters had ridden to the glade. Anna 
Regina, enveloped in a costly, sable-trimmed dolman, 
and a delicate capote hat with a feather aigiette over 
her smoothly parted hair, was accompanied by the 
Countess Kany. The maid of honor at the side of 
her royal mistress resembled the gaudily attired 
Madame Tulipane, in the fairy book. HeiTittle half 
closed eyes blinked about her with a conscious, conde- 
scending air as though the public’s jubilant welcome 
were sounded solely in honor of her gay Turkish red 
mantle and the form it enveloped. 

A single moment for salutation, — then the Grand 
Master of the huntsmen, at a sign from His Royal 
Highness, rode off to free the two-year-old boars, 
which were given a ten minutes’ start of the hounds. 

At the sounding of the horns and fanfare, eighteen 


302 


POLISH BLOOD. 


brace of fleet hounds were set upon the scent, and on 
tore the mad chase. 

A loud hurrah followed the galloping pursuers ; 
the ladies stood in their carriages and waved their 
handkerchiefs. Then the four-in-hand of the Princess, 
driven from the saddle, dashed forward through a 
cross-way into the forest to take a position by which 
the chase was to pass. 

The wind blew cold over the clearing, and lifted 
the golden ringlets on Xenia’s brow. Close at her 
side galloped Proczna, watching with furtive, though 
anxious, eyes the fair equestrienne, and now and 
then seizing the bridle with a firm grip, as the terrain 
admonished care. 

With headlong speed the hounds in superior train 
ing swept by on the scent of the boars, and their 
red costumed followers at a break-neck pace behind 
them. 

Hurrah! how they rushed and stamped along! 
With flashing eyes Xenia stormed also under the low 
hanging branches, now bowing to avoid them, now 
rising in her saddle with bated breath to catch sight 
of the chase as it swept across heath and field. 

Proczna’s brow became clouded ; he appeared anx- 
ious. ‘‘Not too wildly, Xenia !” he urged, in closing 
her hand with a firm grasp. “You do not know 
the danger; let us ride at a moderate pace, and giv- 
ing up the pursuit enjoy the delightful sylvan romance 
of sucli a chase.” 

She looked pleadingly at him. “Not slowly, 
Janek. I feel like emulating the storm-wind ! Plan- 
less, without thought of danger or obstacle, what 
could happen to me? You are at my side ! ” 

“ Happy indeed would I. be could I shield you 
from all harm ! ” 

A strange glow lit up her eyes for a moment. 
“ You may shield me from many a heartache, Janek, 
but not from the greatest.” 

“ And why not from that ? ” 

She bent her head back and gazed a moment up at 


POLISH BLOOD, 


303 


the bluish-gray sky. “Because you will prepare 
that for me.” 

“ Did you not observe how distant I was with 
your beautiful enemy ? ” There was something very 
gentle in the tone of his voice. 

She gave him a hasty glance. “ Solely on my ac- 
count ? ” 

“ No, and yes, as one may take it.” 

“I do not understand you ! ” 

“ The strongest proof of friendship lies in our faith 
in people, even though their words and actions may 
be incomprehensible.” 

An almost wearied smile hovered about her lips. 
“ Hoping and waiting for the solution of an enigma 
is so discouraging.” 

“ As my sister you have a certain right to demand 
frankness of me on any question relating to family 
affairs, even to a general confession of my tender 
secret before I give it to the world. Shall I — ” 

“ No, you shall not confess ! I can bridle my curios- 
ity, and besides I do not wish to hear anything ! ” 
Her voice sounded cold and hard. With a sudden 
jerk she drew her horse, which Janek’s hand still 
held in a moderate pace, to one side. “Forward! 
we have tarried like two tame racers. We shall be 
laughed at.” And with impetuous defiance she let 
the whip fall upon the slender neck of her steed, and 
in the next moment with a bound dashed between 
the leafless branches of the beech forest. 

Janek had observed her closely. Throwing his 
head back with a clear laughing “ halloo,” he spurred 
his steed and followed her. 

“ Atalanta I Atalanta ! Daughter of Jasos, remem- 
ber, the maid that ventures within range of the 
hunter’s arrow becomes herself the noble prey.” 

“ Do not forget that Diana is powerful enough to 
turn the arrow aimed at the young fawn back into 
the heart of the archer.” 

“An extraordinary chase, in which one arrow 
pierces two hearts, — Cupid would sound a halloo I ” 


304 


POLISH BLOOD, 


She made no response ; before them through the 
thinning forest lay the sparkling surface of a lake. 

The pack of hounds was now in a line on the track 
of the boars, which had taken up their flight along 
the game-fence, then across the forest toward the 
three lakes. 

The baying of the hounds could scarcely be heard, 
then nearer and nearer it came as a short turn brought 
them to the lake shore. 

“ To the right, Xenia, we will head them off.” 

A herd of fallow deer here broke clattering through 
the thick underbrush and in wild flight crossed the 
narrow path. On rushed the boars, followed by the 
hounds, toward the clear rolling flood ; then followed 
their red-costumed pursuers. 

“To the water,” sounded the horns far and wide 
through the still forest. On dashed the hounds into 
the water after the boars, while the chase in a long 
procession, galloped along the shore. 

“ Let us ride in this direction, Janek I The cut is 
short, and we shall come directly upon the track of 
the hounds.” With flashing eyes and without pay- 
ing the least attention to his objection, Xenia dashed 
in the opposite direction down upon the flat, reeded 
shore. 

On in mad haste ! Janek was obliged to follow. 
The hoofs clattered upon the hard-frozen, swampy 
ground, whose thin ice-covering broke in bright 
splinters under the hoofs ; the reeds bent, rustling to 
one side or broke like glass under the fleeting horses, 
while here and there a bright water jet broke, spout- 
ing up from the moor. 

“ A tighter rein — toward the forest — the shore is 
swampy,” cried Janek through the wind. 

Xenia made a slight turn ; The driftwood, upon 
the precipitous shore, made further progress danger- 
ous to life. 

“Stop! — we are upon dangerous ground! — ^ride 
slowly ! ” 

But Xenia did not hear. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


305 

A bolder leap over the crackling, swampy ground, 
and J anek, with his wildly snorting steed, was at her 
side. 

With an iron grip he seized her bridle. “ You 
shall ride slowly ; I wish it ! ” he thundered angrily. 
“ To gallop here is childish heedlessness.” 

With eyes big with astonishment she stared at 
him. “ If I risk my neck, that is my affair.” 

“ Not so, as long as I am at your side as an escort. 
Wait, I shall take the lead.” 

That was the same glance, the same tone given her 
long ago, under the broken branch of the young 
apple tree. Xenia’s hand involuntarily trembled, as 
though she again felt the whip, as it whistled down 
upon her stubborn fingers. But her heart did not 
feel that spasm of hatred, as in long years ago, but it 
only trembled softly at the thought of the proud, 
manly power of the hand that had so completely mas- 
tered her unruly horse. 

She bowed her head in silence, and in obedience 
remained in the rear. 

A scarcely perceptible tremor passed over Proczna’s 
features. Going a few paces further he turned his 
liead. “ Are you angry with me, Xenia, because I 
have shown myself to be so severe a brother?” 

She looked up and smiled. “ You have much 
patience with me I ” 

“ Formerly you became angry when my solicitude 
was enveloped in too plain a covering.” His A^oice was 
again very gentle ; the wind almost bore it away. 

“ Many changes have taken place since then.” 

“ There was a time when you harshly repelled me. 
Why was it ? Did I deserve it ? ” 

She shook her head almost eagerly. There is an 
old song which goes : 

“ Wer mag a Dierndl reclat verstahn, 

Dos treibet’s wie April, 

In anem A them lacht’s und woant’s, 

Woass selbst net, was es willD^ 


20 


306 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Proczna had to direct his horse through a tangled 
mass of the sloe tree and made no response. 

The boars suddenly changed in their direction, 
diagonally across the heath. Their red-costumed 
pursuers turned from the shore and followed the 
game at a sharp run; farther and farther sounded 
the baying of the hounds, until it finally died away 
in the distance. 

The sun hid itself behind the clouds, and a cold 
wind blew from off the lake. 

“We shall be obliged to hold a very tight rein if 
we wish to know the outcome of the chase,” cried 
Janek, making a leap over a fallen tree to strike the 
highway, which led through the forest, bordering the 
lake. “ Yonder, in five minutes, we shall catch up 
with the chase.” He reined up his horse a moment 
to wait for Xenia. 

“Hep!” The black steed made an uncertain 
plunge, stumbled forward. Perfectly calm and in- 
different, Countess Dynar, with an energetic jerk of 
the reins, drew him to his feet again. 

“Forward! forward!” she urged, with a higher 
color mantling her cheeks ; “ pay no attention to my 
unskillful horsemanship.” 

“Hold, Xenia! Go easy ! . . . Stop; do you not 
see your horse is lamed ? He breaks in the knee as 
you force him.” 

In sudden fright her hand sank as though para- 
lyzed, while the horse trembled in every limb. 

“ Ride off alone, Janek, and send for me,” she 
urged, with paling lips. “ The lionnds can scarcely 
be heard. I shall deprive you of the most interest- 
ing moment of the chase.” 

He had dismounted, and, with a judge’s eye, ex- 
amined the injured foot; he bowed his head still 
lower. “ That need be your least concern. I’ll will- 
ingly resign the pleasure of the chase if I can only 
prevent a fracture of the bone. K\i—voila . . . here 
is the hurt. ‘ Mylord ’ has cut himself on the ice, 
on the fetlock and crown, and appears, in consequence 


POLISH BLOOD. 


807 


of his misstep, to have disabled his ankle.” Janek, 
laughing, rose and shrugging his shoulders: “Well, 
with slackened rein homeward. If I only had the 
faintest idea where we are, and which road to take. 
We have been riding round in every direction, and 
the forest at this hour looks the same in one place as 
another I ” 

“ Do you not think the hunting party will return 
this way ? ” 

Proczna shook his head. “ Scouts will, of course, 
be sent in search of us, and we shall probably 
meet them on the highway. Let us go slowly for- 
ward.” 

Slowly they made their way over the tangled, 
overgrown pathway. Deathlike silence reigned 
around ; the sounds of the chase had long since died 
away ; the quiet, silver-glistening lake rippled under 
the cold wind’s breath. The tall pines lifted up their 
solemn heads, over which two crows passed, cawing 
and announcing the buzzard which circled above on 
the gray, snowy air. 

An unknown feeling came over Xenia. 

Alone — all alone with Janek Proczna, in the deep- 
est solitude of the forest ! 

She felt like opening her arms and shouting aloud 
with joy, out into the wind and the storm ; like drink- 
ing long eager draughts of this peace, and then cling- 
ing in supplication to the proud, earnest man at her 
side. 

“ Take me not back to the noisy city with its pain 
and sorrow ; let us stay here in oblivion of the world, 
and forgive me for all, all the wrong I have done 
you.” 

The withered leaves rustled to the ground, and 
as though lost in thought, Proczna’s gaze followed 
them. 

Neither one spoke a word. 

Softly the white snowflakes came whirling down. 

“ It is snowing, Xenia, do you feel cold ? ” 

He looked concerned at her light costume, and 


308 


POLISH BLOOD. 


not till then did he seem to realize the seriousness of 
their situation. 

She shook her head cheerfully, yet her teeth chat- 
tered with the cold. “ I am very much hardened.” 

He stopped his horse and dismounted. “ Let us 
walk a short distance, it will make you warm.” 

With a strong arm he lifted her out of the saddle. 

“ I am really almost frozen ; do not laugh at me if 
I must first learn to walk.” 

His gaze anxiously sought the sky, over which the 
snow-clouds gathered thicker and thicker. 

“Give me your arm, and lean freely upon me. 
Wh}^ not, if the world calls me a vigorous fellow ! ” 
he jestingly said. “ I confidently hope to place you 
under shelter soon. They certainly will send out 
scouts to our assistance.” 

Holding the bridles of the two horses with his 
right hand, Proczna led the young lady along the 
road, which had already begun to be white. The 
lake ended. A new planting of young pine and 
Scotch fir lined both sides of the road. 

“We still have at least two hours of daylight, 
Xenia. You need not be alarmed.” 

She laughed merrily, “If you only knew how 
colossal my courage is.” 

“Would you dare to risk being snowed in the 
wilderness ? ” 

“Why not? The worst that could happen us 
would be to freeze to death, and it is said that it is 
the most agreeable death one can imagine.” 

“But why do you speak of death? There must 
first come the suffering — the aimless, hopeless wan- 
derings.” He involuntarily pressed her arm more 
closely to his side. 

“ Better with the feet than with the thoughts.” 

“ Are they in the habit of straying far and wide 
from you ? ” 

“ It has taken me indeed many a long year to lead 
them back into the right path.” 

“ And do they remain quietly in your keeping, or 


POLISH BLOOD. 


309 


do they now and then threaten to escape ? ” He 
looked laughingly down into her face, but Xenia 
shook her charming head veiy earnestly. “I now 
know what I need — a determined Avill, which is the 
best pilot one can have for his life-bark.” 

“ A great change has taken place in you, Xenia. 
To whom is the honor due for this wonder ? Was 
it the great world that rounded off the corners, great 
and small, that stared defiantly at me for years, and 
forbade any possible harmony between us?” 

“ The great world ? And why just that ? ” She 
seemed to evade his question. 

“ I recall to mind, some expressions you uttered, 
many years ago, concerning your belief in the world. 
You then declared you never could live without the 
recognition and homage of society, and that the 
greatest happiness of life appeared to you to be a 
distinguished position in the circle of the highest 
rank. In my opinion, that which fills our souls alone 
has the power to bring about a change in us.” 

“ I remember the conversation very well. You 
took up arms against the parasitism of the court 
circle. I opposed your opinion.” 

“ At that time you did not know the world. What 
judgment have you to pass upon it now ? ” 

She looked up at him surprised. “ I have never 
had any harmful experiences, and I like to live 
among people who in my opinion are really necessary 
to life and happiness.” 

“And can you depend entirely upon these people? 
Do you really believe in the loyalty of those who as- 
sure with words and pressure of the hand they are 
friends ? ” A gloomy shadow lay for a moment on 
his countenance. 

“ With the exception of Excellenz Von G^tner, 
certainly.” 

He shook his head with a serious mien. “As 
long as your heart clings to gewgaws, it will never 
long for pure gold.” 

“ How strangely you talk, Janek. You certainly 


810 


POLISH BLOOD. 


would not have me believe that all the homage, honor, 
distinction, the world has poured into your lap you 
will repay with the cynicism of the pessimist?” 

“But little that the world, up to the present mo- 
ment, was true coin.” 

“ Can you adduce proof of this ? ” 

His glance rested long and earnestly upon her eyes. 
“ More easily than you may think or imagine.” He 
said this slowly, with a peculiar accent. Then in a 
more cheerful voice: “ You never liked the Poles, 
Xenia. Are you still my political opponent ? ” 

“ I regard you as a thorough German.” 

“ That is, you deceive yourself and me. What 
prejudice have you against my people ? ” 

Her head sank still lower. “ Polish blood is so re- 
bellious ; a German aristocrat can never harmonize 
with Kos3miers.” The same old, cold pride seemed 
to freeze her words. 

A bold, inexorable defiance flashed from Proczna’s 
eyes, and shone on his whole countenance. 

“Do you know that a universal ferment is going 
on in Poland ? — that my unhappy fatherland waits 
but for God’s spark from heaven to light the torch 
of rebellion ? ” 

In wild alarm she seized his arm, while a passion- 
ate warning shone in her eyes. “ The last name up- 
on the escutcheon of the Dynars cannot be erased ! 
Hans Stephan, you have a German sister, to whose 
protection the strong will of the dead calls you.” 

The wind blustered and roared through the tall 
pines, and beyond the white clouds whirled and 
thickened. Janek bowed low over Xenia. “ Polish 
blood never denies itself,” he whispered, fixing his 
fascinating glance upon her. In your veins also 
there circles a drop of this hot poison, from which 
there is no help, no deliverance. Hans Stephan 
Dynar will not lift his arm for Poland’s freedom 
until his German sister arms him herself. Do not be 
alarmed ; Count Dynar’s escutcheon is in safe hands.” 
He laughed softly, and then answered more gayly ; 


POLISH BLOOD, 


311 


“ How people do differ in their characters and dis- 
positions, especially women. I am perfectly con- 
vinced, Xenia, that you would separate yourself 
from the husband of your choice without a struggle 
were he to enter the ranks of the Kosyniers in defense 
of his country. There is, however, an historical 
example of a woman whose boundless love for her 
husband caused her to leave the enemy’s camp and 
flee to the Polish army, to live or die at the side of 
him she adored.” 

The little hand on his arm trembled — perhaps 
from cold. “ And which of the two natures appears 
to you the happier ? ” 

“ I envy the mortal loved beyond all bounds, so 
that all ties whicli otherwise have power over the 
human heart are blown away by the storm of passion, 
like chaff’ in the wind, and that alone is happiness ! ” 

For a moment deep silence reigned ; dark shadows 
fell athwart their pathway, then the snow-storm 
broke, roaring through the trees. 

“ You will freeze, Xenia ; you tremble like an aspen 
leaf, and I have no cloak to protect you.” 

She made no answer. 

“ Let me have my arm free a moment, place your- 
self close to ‘ Mylord.’ He will protect you a little 
from the wind.” 

Proczna stepped hastily to the other side of his 
horse, unbuckled the saddle and drew off the little 
under-blanket from the horse’s back. 

“ Here — quick — wrap yourself in it. How foolish 
that I did not think of it before.” 

Xenia shook her head without looking at him. 
“ The horses are warm. . . . You should not.” . . . 

Another snow-cloud whirled about them ; Janek 
sprang forward, folded the trembling form in his 
arms, and drew the protecting cover about her. For 
a moment Xenia rested as though benumbed upon 
his breast. 

“ We must go forward, T will take you before me 
in the saddle and tie ‘ Mylord’ to our horse. With- 


312 


POLISH BLOOD. 


out a load he will be able to follow. Necessity 
knows no law. Let us make use of this moment, 
now that the violence of the storm has abated.” 

Xenia did not raise a syllable of objection. Janek 
saw through the fast deepening twilight that her face 
was as colorless as the snow-flakes that danced about 
them. 

“ Forward ! ’ 

Countess Dynar started. “ I hear a horse’s 
hoofs ! ” 

“ By Heaven . . . they come nearer . . . halloo ! ” 

“ Halloo!” 

“ They are in search of us I ” 

“ God be praised ! ” 

Xenia clung to the arm of her foster-brother, while 
with great staring eyes she gazed toward the turn of 
the road, round which two huntsman came dashing. 

“ Just in time I Accept my sincere thanks, gentle- 
men, for your timely assistance. One of our horses 
met with an accident. But our first thought must 
be to bring my sister under shelter — no matter how 
or where.” 

“ Scarcely ten minutes’ walk from here there is a 
forester’s lodge, my lord.” 

“ Good ! We will seek it on foot, your arm, Xenia, 
in a few minutes you will be sheltered.” 

“ Sheltered ! ” reechoed her heart after him. What 
were the protecting walls and roof of a house in 
comparison to the breast upon which she rested, and 
the strong arms that enfolded her I 

There she had been sheltered, even though the 
storm and snow had beaten about her ! And when 
the dismal horrors of wild rebellion should roar over 
the plains of Poland, on whose heart could she then 
take refuge ? 

A chill seemed to pass through every limb, and 
yet her lips smiled. 

‘‘ Kosyniers ! ” “ Kosyniers ! ” . . . roared the 

voices of the wind, like a joyful cry through the air. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


313 


CHAPTER XXIIL 

The shadows of the twilight hour were slowly 
deepening in the forester’s lodge. 

An agreeable warmth pervaded the only room ; the 
bullfinch in his willow cage which had already tucked 
his head under his wing, repeated now and then, 
when any unusual noise aroused him, his melancholy 
tutitial tatuti — a song whose whole burden, given in 
musical perfection, seemed to be “ Life let us cher- 
ish.” 

Poor, but very clean and orderly, was the small 
low room, which served at once as kitchen, sitting- 
room and sleeping 'apartment. On the other side of 
a partition a low bleating could be heard, in a small 
inclosure intended originally as a store-room, but 
now given up to the goat for winter quarters. 

A young woman, dressed with a certain degree of 
refinement, in spite of the indigent appearance of 
everything about her, sat on a low stool by the blaz- 
ing fire, dancing a curly-headed urchin, “ Heyday, 
ride a jack horse,” upon her knee. In conf"l\cion the 
young horseman, with a wild crow of delighf tumbled 
head over heels toward the floor, but was ■ ■ ued at 
the right moment by a timely swing of iiis mother’s 
arm, which made him soar aloft, as though wings had 
suddenly grown from his young shoulders. And 
with alternate crowing and caressing, the greedy 
youngster called for more of the merry play, until he 
was suddenly interrupted by some strange, aristo- 
cratic strangers opening the door, and whirling into 
the room with the storm and the snow. 

Little Max found himself suddenly and painfully 
neglected, and in consequence retreated into one cor- 
ner with the stool. In the meanwhile, the young 
mother ran hither and thither in anxious haste to serve 


314 


POLISH' BLOOD. 


the strange lady, who sat in father's arm-chair, lean- 
ing back her head, with its damp, golden ringlets, 
and her eyes closed as though she were asleep. 

Little Maxstaredat her with wide open eyes, then, 
turning his curly little head, he carefully examined 
the strange gentlemen that stood rubbing their cold 
hands before the fire’s glow. The bullfinch expressed 
his displeasure at the unwonted disturbance by cry- 
ing “ Life let us cherish,” and hopped angrily from 
perch to perch. No notice was taken of him, how- 
ever. Count Dynar then besought the huntsmen to 
send him a sleigh and warm furs from the city. The 
forester’s wife had lit, in the meanwhile, a small oil 
lamp suspended from the ceiling, and with surprising 
dexterity began to serve Xenia. She placed her Sun- 
day dress at her service, and sought with skilful hands 
to arrange and dry her wet hair. 

In the beginning Janek had watched the proceedings 
with considerable uneasiness. His sister, who suf- 
fered no strange hand for attendant, whose proud 
head tossed haughtily if the coarse garments of a 
poor woman came in contact with her own in the 
street, was now obliged to put her delicate feet in- 
to shoes whose soles glistened with coarse nails ! 
Formerly the mere thought of such a thing would 
have bordered on madness. 

“ See, your ladyship here is a pair of stockings 
just from the needle ! No human’s foot has worn 
them ! The wool is even still rough and hard, but 
just the thing to ward off a cold. I was waiting- 
maid for five years in the service of the Baroness 
M., in Danzig. She always kept just such a 
pair on hand to draw over her silk stockings when 
she went sleighing.” 

Xenia now sat up in her chair. She seemed to 
have fully recovered. 

“ You were a waiting-maid ? Oh, that is indeed 
fortunate — then I can trust myself to your care with- 
out further scruple. What nice warm wool ! It will 
indeed do me a good service ! My shoes are completely 


POLISH BLOOD. 


315 


saturated with water. Please, Avill you have the kind- 
ness to change my shoes and stockings?” 

The words were spoken very softly, as the young 
lady’s glances wandered toward her foster-brother, 
who in the meanwhile had taken up his position be- 
fore the bird-cage, and was making every effort to 
induce Mr. Bullfinch to sing a little song for his benefit. 

“ I’ll kneel before your ladyship ! Then the 
gentleman will not be able to notice anything ! ” whis- 
pered the forester’s wife, trying to calm her. “ Un- 
fortunately we only have this one little room, and 
the weather is too bad to ask his lordship to go out 
of doors.” 

Janek at that moment turned the back of his chair 
toward them, with the ostensible motive of examin, 
ing the contents of his portefeuille. 

The letters and characters, like jubilant figures, 
danced beneath his eyes, and then, like dissolving 
views, other pictures swept before his mental vision. 
Years rolled backward and again he heard the snow- 
storm beating about the towers of Proczna, and 
again the golden blond head of a child was laid con- 
fidingly upon his shoulder. 

Suddenly he was aroused from his reverie, by hear- 
ing Xenia’s unusually heavy footsteps behind him. 
Leaning on the back of his chair, she laughed merrily 
as she gazed down at her shoes. “ It would be im- 
possible for me to surprise any one now, and as for 
waltzing, I doubt if that could be done now, even 
with much effort. Turn and gaze upon me, I have 
on a brand new pair of wooden shoes, with a heart 
carved on the toes ! The forester made them with 
his own hands for his little wife, was that not per- 
fectly charming of him ? ” 

Janek looked down very much amused upon the 
tips of the plump little shoes, which the Countess 
Dynar thrust from under the hem of her dress. 

“ Charming and gallant at the same time ! If the 
young husband is a Pole, which we might suppose by 
the form of the slipper, he is also a rogue in disguise.” 


316 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Please explain your enigma.” 

Janek had risen from his seat, and now stood, with 
an amused twinkle in his eyes, gazing down upon the 
questioner. “ The Pole’s favorite drinking cup is 
the shoe of his lady love, and he knows no sweeter 
or more intoxicating pleasure than to empty it at one 
draught for ‘ vive V amour. A small foot and a great 
thirst, one would think, in this case, were inconsis- 
tent, but our genial forester has proven to us there 
is a means of uniting the two extremes ! ” 

“ You are only mocking my delicate cliaussure ! ” 
“ Revenge yourself by calling the Polish custom 
sentimental.” 

“ That would in my eyes be equal to a recognition.” 
“ As a matter of course, Xenia, you are so purely 
German, and your German blood coursing so calmly 
and coolly through your veins, repels sentiment as 
absurdity, and fervid enthusiasm, speaking as it does, 
with its powerful voice, as fanaticism.” 

“You once said to me ‘my ancestress Xenia was 
a mad enthusiast,’ and yet she was only a passionate 
woman, sentimental enough to sacrifice a certain 
truth for an uncertain dream ! ” 

Countess Dynar avoided his keen, almost pene- 
trating glance. “ And you judge and condemn my 
whole nation for a few thoughtless remarks from me? ” 
He shook his head slowly. “ I paint with bold 
strokes and strong colors. There are, however, many 
exceptions to every rule, and I hope in this case very 
many.” — He broke off suddenly" — “ Are you warm 
again, and would you like something to strengthen 
you? Warm milk can be soon procured.” 

“ No, no,” she interrupted hastily, “ I do not wish 
anything, and I feel perfectly restored. It is so very 
comfortable here by the fire. I enjoy looking into 
the bright flames and gazing about upon my unac- 
customed surroundings. These people seem to be 
very poor.” 

At that moment two unsteady little feet began to 
make their way across the room ; balancing himself 


POLISH BLOOD. 


317 


with his chubby arms, little Max waddled up to the 
strange lady, and, crowing in liigh glee, hid his face 
in the folds of her dress as though the heroic feat of 
the solo-promenade must have given mutual pleasure. 

Janek hastened to draw the little fellow away, and 
lifted him up on his arm. “ Come, come, you little 
rogue ! If you want to make merry with any one, 
let it be with me. If you want to go to the pretty 
lady, you must first have your baby-hands and little 
bill washed. Understand, little Monsieur?” 

Little Max, with an arm stretched toward Xenia, 
struggled with might and main to free himself. 

“ Why do you wish to alienate this adorer from 
me ? Come, give the fine little curly-head to me ! ” 

Proczna appeared quite embarrassed. “ But, Xenia, 
this little commoner upon your lap ? ” 

“And suppose I am ‘sentimental’ enough to find 
pleasure in it ? ” 

“ Do you remember long ago, poor children were 
always very disagreeable to you! We shall pay 
well for the present hospitality, you need not impose 
any disagreeable task upon yourself out of respect to 
the forester’s wife.” 

Xenia bit her lips. “ Why do you ever remind me 
of long ago ? ” she cried hastily. “ Do you not con- 
sider me sufficiently conservative to lay aside my 
childish faults with time?” And without waiting 
for a response she quickly took the little fellow from 
his arm and sat down again upon the chair by the 
hearth, and when the forester’s wife returned from 
the stall with a foaming can of milk she held the 
little fellow triumphantly toward her. “ See, Martha, 
we have become fast friends.” 

Janek stepped to the window, and began to drum 
vigorously on the pane upon which the picture on 
the hearth faithfully reflected itself. 

Behind him a merry mingling of chatting, laughing 
and crowing went on. Little Max was fed ; Xenia 
held him a little awkwardly, but still she managed to 
keep the milk glass to his rosy mouth. 


318 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Mistress Martha beamed with pride and maternal 
joy. Upon being pressed by the young lady she re- 
lated her past life. She had been a waiting-maid, 
very much spoiled and very high-minded, as all of 
her class were. No one was good enough for her un- 
til suddenly the right one came along, gay, handsome 
as a picture and poor as a church mouse. Then there 
was no more reflection. Exulting with happiness 
she bade farewell to her easy life and followed her 
dashing grenadier when he obtained this modest post 
in the forest. 

“ And do you never long to return to the city ? ” 

The young wife broke out in a happy laugh. “ Ah, 
my dear lady, when you love another with your whole 
heart a desert itself would not be lonesome. And 
not till then can you really understand that a very 
little is necessary to make one happy. My Franz is 
a dashing, handsome man, and if we were in the city 
I would always be jealous of him, and every pretty 
girl would be gall and poison to me. Here he be- 
longs to me alone — here, where there is only forest 
and heaven ; and although this kind of a life is a very 
hard one, I would never, never be willing to return 
to the city.” 

Janek turned his head to take a stolen glance, — 
he saw Xenia’s beautiful head bent forward, as though 
in deep thought. 

Suddenly sleigh-bells rang out on the night air, 
then the bright red glare of torches fell athwart the 
snow, and in a few moments the light stamping and 
pawing of horses’ hoofs were heard before the door. 

Xenia stepped close to Proczna’s side and looked 
beseechingly up into his face. “ Have you any 
money with you, Janek ? I wish to express my thanks 
by a iittle gift. Mistress Martha cannot come to the 
city, and I shall not be able to ride out to her for 
some time.” 

“ As a matter of course, Xenia, my purse was to 
have been left here.” 

“ Oh, let me give it to her 1 ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


319 


“ With my whole heart — la voila ! — dispose of it as 
you wish ! ” 

Laughing, she nodded her thanks, then hastening 
to little Max, who had been again seated upon his 
straw-woven mat in the corner, she poured her golden 
gift into his lap. 

Bright tears coursed over the cheeks of the forest- 
er’s wife as she kissed the slender hand of the giver 
again and again. It had always been Xenia’s habit 
to give liberal contributions to the poor-box and every 
society interested in behalf of the needy, yet now it 
seemed as though she had opened her hand for the 
first time to do a generous deed. 

It had ceased snowing, but still it was stormy and 
cold. The sky gleamed like a sea, filled with bluish 
sparks, white veiled gleamed the pines in the first 
moonbeams which, still struggling, floated like silvery 
mist through the branches. 

Enveloped in soft, delightfully warm fur, Xenia 
sat by Janek’s side in the sleigh, which flew like a 
shadow over the snow. The silence of the grave 
reigned in the wide forest. 

The torches flared in the hands of the saddle-riders, 
and sent their bluish red lights over the pines by the 
way, sparks flashed, and then whirled over the snow. 
The horses snorted and reared wildly with flying 
manes, as they flew onward. A weird, romantic jour- 
ney it was. Two frightened birds swept like dark 
shadows away over the sleigh ; their harsh cries died 
away on the wind, which, becoming stronger, played 
roughly with Xenia’s head covering. 

Janek, without a word, lifted the fur higher round 
her neck — in vain ; a gust of wind threw it back 
again. In order to hold it in its place, he rested his 
arm behind it — Xenia felt it; as though startled, her 
head shrank away from him. 

“ Fear nothing, Xenia. There is a thick, protect- 
ing wall of fur between you and the rebellious Polish 
blood ” — He said this calmly and softly, nevertheless 
there was a slight tinge of bitterness in his voice. 


320 


POLISH BLOOD. 


She made no leplj^ but raising her hand she 
pushed the fine marten slowly to one side, and 
leaned her head firmly on his arm. 

“ Kosynier I ” “ Kosynier ! ” roared the wind ex- 

ultingly through the branches. 

The Ulanen officers sat in the Casino at breakfast. 

Janek Proczna had become a regular guest ; and 
to-day, as usual, leaning on Hechelberg’s arm, he 
entered the dining-hall to chat an hour away. 

“ The gentlemen who are disengaged please step 
forward and have a game of Tarok. ... We count 
upon you, Proczna — pour passer le temps. Your 
brain will become befuddled with ennui if you do not 
have something to wake you up.” 

“ I am at your service.” 

“What say you to a glass of Chateau Yquem? 
Your health, Paprico !” 

“Ha, ha! the lion has tasted blood. Well! mon 
Dieu I your Highness, to help you keep your eyes 
open. I’ll assist. Take a hand ? ” 

“ Certainly ! — one — two — settled — good. . . . 
Sharpen your wits. I have won and I’ll invite you 
to a healthy bottle of poison.” 

“ The deuce ! Our brave Captain d cheval h^di an 
unlucky love affair with the slender beauties of Cha- 
teau Yquem, and its vicinity.” 

“ To err is human, my dear Flanders. I hate this 
kind — and, indeed, all feminines that lace themselves 
with twine, wire and tinfoil.” 

Hechelberg, leaning his arms upon the table, and, 
making a wry face, called for “ Air ! air ! ” 

“ I hate them, and, therefore — I exterminate them 
wherever I meet them.” 

Loud and merry applause. The corks popped, and, 
like liquid gold, the wine gurgled into the delicate, 
cut glasses. 

“ Death and destruction to all superfluous wine, 
messieurs ! ” 

“ Bravo ! — pereat ! — we follow you, captain ! ” — 
and the glasses clinked melodiously together. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


321 


“ By the way, Proczna, you will tread the light 
fantastic at Gower’s, will you not?” Heller-Hiinin- 
gen pressed eagerly forward, with a countenance be- 
traying the deepest interest. 

“ With all the grace and spirit that belong to me ! ” 
“ August Ferdinand has issued a personal order, 
in which he urgently requests the regiment to appear 
in full numbers. Madame Gartner will cut a pretty 
face. Merci ! ” 

“ She will issue some parole, which will cause the 
Gowers to have unpleasant experience with their 
enforced guests.” 

“ Have you made your engagements ? ” 

“ Not yet ! but I am going after a while to the 
Villa Florian to make them.” A treasonable expres- 
sion quivered about his lips, but Donat, giving him 
a mistrustful glance, continued : “ But certainly not 
for the cotillion ? ” 

“ For what else, pray ? ” 

“ Certainly not with Bicky ? ” 

Proczna shrugged his shoulders. 

“ Wretch ! I’ll twist that neck of yours ! ” 

“ That the stronger can do at any time. To gain 
the advantage would be in better taste.” 

“ Thunder and lightning, I’ll fast for six long weeks 
on hash, if you snap the little one away from me. 
Bicky’s cotillion belongs to me ! ” 

“ Not yet.” 

“ But it certainly shall, just so sure as I sit upon 
this four-legged chair.” 

“A written engagement is not binding; it is neces- 
sary to have a promise from Bicky’s own mouth.” 

“Good — suits me. The deuce take any engage- 
ment you may make! Ho, there, ordinary? Cap 
and saber ! ” 

Proczna, with the greatest nonchalance, lit a cigar. 
“ Do not let your heels run away with you, my 
dear fellow. Bicky has driven out with Xenia to 
the forester’s lodge. At three precisely she will re- 

21 


322 


POLISH BLOOD. 


turn ; and at three precisely I shall be in the Villa 
Florian.” 

“ Bassa menelka ! ” Donat set his arms akimbo, and 
shook his handsome head, half incredulously, half 
mistrustfully. ‘‘ Catch a weasel asleep, old fellow ! 
I do not trust this flag of truce. I must convince 
myself with my own eyes, and then post myself at 
my own window, seize the carriage on its return, and 
in case of necessity throw myself before the wheels, 
and make my engagement with breaking ribs.” 

Janek rose also, and with great indifference turned 
toward Hechelberg : “ My worthy Captain, will you 
be kind enough to do me a favor ? ” 

“ Anything ! — except to marry.” 

“Place this, the youngest Lieutenant of your 
squadron, on duty to-day at three o’clock.” 

Donat rose like an enraged lion, seized his cap and 
saber, and, dashing everything to the right and left, 
tore out of the mess like a madman. 

“ I shall send an orderly to you. Beauty-patch ! ” 
cried Hechelberg, his little eyes twinkling with ma- 
licious pleasure. “ The deuce take you if you neglect 
the recruits. Vault — fence — drill — ” 

The door closed with a bang. Prince Heller-Hun- 
ingen did not hear another syllable ; but Proczna 
threw himself in a chair and laughed a duet with the 
Captain at his expense. 

“ How atrociously you have tormented the poor 
Lieutenant.” 

Donat stormed toward the Villa Florian, and 
learned that the ladies were not expected to return 
from their ride until three o’clock. As though hunted 
down he hastened to his dwelling. 

“ Robert, I am at home to no one ! ” he commanded, 
in a feverish excitement, “ and particularly not to 
an orderly. I refuse to see any one, do you under- 
stand?” 

“ As you command. Lieutenant ! ” 

Beauty-patch took up his post of observation be- 
hind the curtain. Aha— there come Hechelberg 


POLISH BLOOD. 


323 


and Proczna, arm in arm, straggling along. Now 
they fix themselves before his windows, and fairly 
bend double with laughter — and behind them — Thun- 
der-and-ligh tiling !— fire-and-bombardment ! an order- 
ly, with the ominous leathern portfolio under his arm. 

Klin-ge-ling ! Lieutenant is not at home.” 
Tramp, tramp, down the stairs again. It is reported 
to the Captain, who gives another short order. The 
ordinary now crosses the street and takes up his post 
before the Prince’s door. Thunder and lightning ! 
Under surveillance ! Hechelberg and Proczna in 
the meantime swing to and fro, up and down tlie 
pavement, like two pendulums, and laugh as thougli 
they are enjoying an immense joke at some one’s 
expense. 

Donat’s very finger tips tingled, and he felt as 
though he could spring out of his skin with rage. 

“ How they enjoy cracking their jokes over their 
sharp tricks. . . . That Proczna is ripe for Satan. 
Nothing seems sacred to him, nothing — not even the 
love of a young Lieutenant! — and Hechelberg, fat 
and boastful as a Falstaff, the gray-haired sinner ! 
Just look at the fellow, swaggering with his feet far 
apart, and grinning up at the window as though his 
eyes were boring a hole through the curtain ! ” 

Donat shook his fist as though he would break the 
window. “ But wait, you Satanic breed ! I am not 
caught yet. Robert ! ” 

“ Your orders. Lieutenant.” 

“ Order the closed carriage in readiness, immedi- 
ately, around by the street-door ; just as soon as you 
see the Countess Dynar’s equipage coming up the 
street — ^you know them very well by the two Isabells — 
then let my coup4 drive up to the entrance. I shall 
spring in, and you follow in a sharp gallop behind 
the Countess. Understand? Here is a purse if you 
manage the affair well.” 

Hiiningen threw his heavy portemonnaie upon the 
table, but Robert simply replied, “ At your command, 
Lieutenant.” 


324 


POLISH BLOOD. 


And he made a brilliant success of the affair. 

The coupe drew up as directed. Donat sprang in 
without looking to the left or the right, and away it 
dashed behind the Dynar equipage up the street. 

“ But what was that ? ”... A dark shadow was 
thrown in the carriage — a dark figure outlined itself 
against the window. ... A million crosses. . . . 
The orderly had sprung upon the carriage-step. They 
drew up before the Villa Florian. The door was 
thrown open, and a firm hand held the service-book 
toward the Prince. “ For 3 o’clock, racing and vault- 
ing in the old parade-ground. Lieutenant.” 
uD_da— ” 

Donat pushed the orderly with both hands brusque- 
ly to one side, sprang to the ground, and started 
toward Bicky, who stood with eyes big with astonish- 
ment, hesitating, in the doorway. “ Bicky, may I 
please claim you for the cotillion to-morrow even- 
ing ? ” he cried, with a face red with excitement. 

The young lady is almost frightened to death. 
“But, Dona^” 

“ Can I have the cotillion? — Yes or no,” he re- 
peated, full of feverish impatience, stamping with 
both feet. 

“ Yes — of course — but why ? ” 

“ Xenia ! Xenia ! 3 "ou are witness that Bicky has 
granted me the cotillion ! — Mille merci ! I shall see 
you this evening ! Addio ! ” and, like a whirlwind, 
he turned and sprang, with two bounds, down the 
steps and into his cariiage.” 

“ Well, now, give me your service book — ” 

The recruits never saw Prince Heller-Huningen in 
a better humor as on this afternoon, and Robert’s 
“ cousin ” appeared the following Sunday at church 
in a brand new dress. 

Of course Proczna and Hechelberg turned green 
and yellow from pure malice and disappointment I 


POLISH BLOOD. 


325 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

Madame Gower spared neither pains nor expense 
for the ball imposed upon her, upon whose every 
feature was impressed the motto “ Noblesse obliged 

The comparatively narrow dimensions of her 
modest dwelling necessitated the rearrangement of 
her household. T wo obliging friends, wives of the in- 
fantry officers, had kindly loaned her the necessary 
glass, silver, and crystal ; and what was needed in 
the way of service was supplied by hired servants in 
borrowed livery, whose lack of training caused the 
poor lady many a sigh, and the wreck of many 
costly pieces of china. 

At last the clock sounded the hour appointed for 
opening the dancing hall, which was to receive a com- 
pany not only dissimilar in taste, diverse in opinions, 
but positively so antagonistic in feeling that the 
thought of bringing them together in any degree of 
harmony was sufficient to cause any host to stand 
aghast. 

August Ferdinand wished the two hostile factions 
and army corps to confront each other, and the 
Gowers were to furnish the battlefield, with the dis- 
agreeable prospect of receiving upon their shoulders 
the cuts and thrusts that must inevitably fall like 
hail from both sides. 

The young Ulanen officers presented themselves 
with marked punctuality; they clinked their spurs 
at a measured distance before the slender figure of 
their hostess, attired in apricot colored tulle, bowed 
their well-frizzed heads politely over their stiff col- 
lars, and then immediately occupied a position in the 
vicinity of the door, where they formed a fixed and 
exclusive phalanx. 

What a gauntlet to run ! They were mostly arro- 


326 


POLISH BLOOD. 


gant faces that mustered the arriving personages 
with supercilious scrutiny, which, though silent, 
sounded its judgment shrilly enough into the ears of 
those for whom it was intended. 

But how changed the picture when some well 
known lady of the creme, with haughty air, swept over 
the threshold. 

The Countesses Ettesbach and Tarenberg arrived 
at the same time with Excellenz Gartner. 

“ Ah, charmant! Delightful !— Permit me to kiss 
your hand, my dear Countess 1 — Vbila, the station of 
the invincible cavalry. Ah, they are forming in 
cotillion. Will your Excellenz permit me to engage 
my soul to you in the dance ? ” 

The ladies, with an air of favored condescension, 
had scarcely time to greet the host and hostess, while 
the Ulanens separated themselves from the rest of 
the company, as though protected by a Chinese 
wall. 

Lieutenant Gower pressed forward and bowed be- 
fore Excellenz Gartner ; “ Will your Excellenz per- 

mit me to present you to the other ladies and gentle- 
men ? ” 

Leonie’s indefinable glance swept the hall ; then 
with a shrug of the shourders, and listless indiffer- 
ence : “ Mon Bleu, wherefore, my dear Mr. Gower, 
this endless bowing ? It is horridly tedious — and, 
indeed, all to no purpose ! ” 

A low titter ran round the circle, but Flanders 
twisted his mustache ends into sharper points, and 
added, while his rapid glance passed round the circle, 
“ We are all very well acquainted here ; and, indeed, 
that is quite sufficient.” 

Lieutenant Gower bowed, and without a word 
further withdrew. 

The Lord Chamberlain Von Drach, together with 
his wife and daughter, now entered, followed by the 
Countess Dynar and her brother. She appeared 
more charming than ever. Her whole countenance 
fairly radiated with happiness ; never before had the 


POLISH BLOOD. 


327 


cold, proud face exhibited such bewitching loveli- 
ness. White silk gauze, embroidered with pearls, 
that glistened like falling spray, flowed like sea- 
foam around her slender form. Bouquets of that 
most delicate shade of the hop blossom, nestled in 
her bosom and hair, simple and yet of exquisite taste 
was the whole arrangement. To all fur the first 
time, an air of sweet maidenhood hovered about the 
dewy freshness of Xenia’s whole appearance. 

Ihe gentlemen pressed eagerly forward to sur- 
round them and bar their further passage through the 
hall ; but Proczna, without releasing the arm of the 
Countess, jestingly pressed the crowd to one side and 
made his way toward his host and hostess. 

A hearty and unaffected greeting followed. Bicky 
had directed Cousin Donat’s steps in the path fol- 
lowed by Janek, and pressing Madame Gower’s hand 
with undisguised joy, she assured her again and again 
how “ frightfully ” glad she was that she had come, 
and how eagerly she had longed for this evening. 

‘‘We have one and all agreed to cut the crowd 
yonder,” hissed Madame Leonie into Xenia’s ear. 
“ Flanders is almost convulsed with suppressed 
laughter at the thought of the ladies of our circle 
being swung round by these ‘ cannon lieutenants.’ 
Then remember — cut off all advances from the very 
beginning.” 

Janek, who had been conversing with Lieutenant 
Gower, now approached Xenia. 

“The Lieutenant has just asked me whether his 
wife may present you to the elderly ladies on the 
other side of the hall ? ” 

Xenia bit her lips. “ Certainly not. None of the 
ladies of our circle permit it.” 

“ Xenia . . . and if I most earnestly wish it — beg 
of you as a favor, Xenia ? ” 

Her breath came faster, while her glance, softly 
beaming, sank into his pleading eyes. “ Lead me to 
them.” 

Lieutenant Gower in the meanwhile had again 


328 


POLISH BLOOD. 


approached the young officers. “ May I ask you, gen- 
tlemen, to write your names upon the young ladies ’ 
programs for the dances ? The two charming daugh- 
ters of the new Counselor for the Government, Von 
Blachwitz, are our guests for the first time, and they 
have so few acquaintances.” 

Flanders settled his eye-glass upon the most ar- 
rogant of faces, and scrutinized the sisters from head 
to foot, then shrugging his shoulders : 

“ I regret, my dear sir — ^but I prefer not to prance 
around with new steeds this evening.” 

Ringing laughter rewarded this specimen of his 
wit. 

Excellenz Von Gartner sank with a wearied air 
into a seat, and motioned Janek Proczna to her side. 
The sea-hued moir4 antique train wound itself with 
changeful play of its silvery sheen about the feet of 
the young Pole, and Madame Leonie herself, with 
half open lips, leaned her small head back upon the 
chair as though its wealth of dark ringlets were too 
heavy a burden for it to bear. 

“ Are you here alone, Excellenz ? ” 

The dark lashes veiled the brilliant eyes for a 
moment. “Entirely alone. My husband is more 
seriously ill than ever, but he did not let me know it 
until the last moment, in order to force me to drive 
here ; he is very considerate, and does not like to re- 
ceive regrets instead of guests, himself.” 

“ And you came here willingly, Excellenz ? ” — 
Her bosom rose and fell ; she pressed her unfolded 
fan passionately against the lace and roses. “ Up- 
braid me for being unthankful, pleasure-loving, 
frivolous, Proczna, if you will. Yes, I came here 
willingly. It would have cost me my heart’s blood 
to have staid at home, for my whole soul, my whole 
being breathes here, as though lured and bound by 
some demoniacal power — ” 

He gazed into her agitated face. “ I do not be- 
lieve it, Madame Leonie.” 

“ And what do you need to convince you? ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


329 


“ A proof t^iat two dark eyes have become your 
fate, a proof that they are all the world to you.” 

Her lips quivered ; then, as though hound by an 
irresistible fascination, she stared up into the laugh- 
ing face, which exercised such a mysterious power 
over the hearts of women. Then the eyes wavered 
and glowed with strange light. “ Well, then, 
Proczna, I will prove it to you ! ” She motioned with 
a glance for him to draw nearer. “ I shall drive back 
alone,” she whispered, while her warm breath fanned 
his cheeks. 

At that moment the first notes of the waltz re- 
sounded through the hall, and the piping notes of the 
Countess Kany’s discordant voice were heard asking 
for her '•'•petite Mignonne^ 

Proczna, rising hastily, interrupted her. “ Cau- 
tion, Excellenz. There are listening ears every- 
where. You have a lead-pencil, a program which, 
though it is not ‘rosa paper,’ can promise ere 
the morning’s dawn my greatest happiness if it but 
hold a few intoxicating words. Dare I hope ? ” 

She nodded almost impetuously. Mr. Von Flan- 
ders, at that moment, pressed forward from one side 
and the Countess Kany from the other. 

“May I have the honor, Excellenz?” — Flanders, 
with a side glance at Proczna, offered her Ins arm. 
“ Our waltz ! ” 

Leonie had risen to offer both hands to ‘’'e maid 
of honor, then she clung confidentially to ... ■ young 
officer’s arm. 

“ Have you informed all of our circle ? 

“ Certainly — everything is in excellent order.” 

Madame Von Gartner turned toward Janek with 
a significant look in lier flashing eyes. “ You are 
aware, without doubt. Count, that we have completely 
isolated ourselves from the other set? We have al- 
ready taken possession of the corner room yonder, 
and we shall withdraw to it after each dance.” 

“ Charmant ! ” and Proczna laughed aloud. 

The Countess Kany, in orange-colored damask. 


330 


POLISH PLOOT). 


took the lead as representative of the “ Court.'’ 
After making the rounds of the invited guests, ad- 
dressing a gracious word here and there to personages 
of rank, and permitting the different introductions 
from the other circle, she turned her back ostensibly 
toward the Commander of the artillery regiment. 
All this was strictly in accordance with the plan de- 
vised by Madame Leonie for her confidante. 

And now occurred something almost past all be- 
lief. The TJlans withdrew after each dance with 
their ladies to the corner room, of which they had 
complete possession. With the exception of Prince 
Heller-Hiiningen and Madame Von Hoftraten, no 
one belonging to the regiment danced with Lieuten- 
ant Gower’s guests, nor even with the hostess her- 
self. The Countess Dynar, of whbm one had least 
expected such a thing, danced twice with strange 
gentlemen, one belonging to the artillery, the other 
to the infantry, and opened the ball with Lieutenant 
Gower at the same time with a second couple. Count 
Hechelberg and the Princess Reuseck. 

Every one was as much charmed with the amia- 
bility of the so-called cold and haughty Countess 
Dynar and the originality of Madame Von Hoftraten, 
as they were disgusted with the conduct of the other 
ladies and gentlemen. 

Never before was the antagonism of the regiments 
brought more rudely to light than upon this evening. 
Instead of drawing the two factions together, the 
gulf between them was widened, and the seeds of 
discord sown more abundantly than ever before. 

Proczna felt that Xenia’s stolen glances were upon 
him, and that she was closely observing him. 

Excellenz Gartner passed him in the dancing hall 
and gave him a significant glance. ‘‘ Keep my pro- 
gram ” — and in great haste she pressed her closely- 
folded card firmly in his hand. 

Janek coolly unfolded it and gazed down at its 
contents. The whole surface of the card was closely 
written : 


POLISH BLOOD. 


331 


“ Drive home with me — leave the house some- 
what earlier than I, and await me in the carriage — 
In my boudoir we shall be entirely alone. I can an- 
swer for the discretion of my servants and my maid 
— and should there be talk? Va hanque — I will 
trample the opinion of the whole world under my 
feet if it should attempt to bar the way to your 
heart. 

Proczna’s eyes glowed ; he concealed the precious 
card in the most secure pocket of his portefeuille. 
On lifting his eyes he saw Flanders’ eyes in which 
there was an expression of unspeakable hate, fixed 
sharply upon him. 

A thought flashed through his brain, and he 
turned and walked slowly toward the Ulan. 

“Are you engaged for this dance, Mr. Von Flan- 
ders?” 

“No — I pause — Very common for the guests to 
tramp round like peat gatherers.” 

“ My opinion exactly. You see I have no duties 
of the kind at the present moment, will you favor 
me with a short tete-a-tete in the buffet-room ? ” 

Flanders stared at the speaker with half-open 
mouth, then with a bow he seized his arm almost 
eagerly. “ With the greatest pleasure, my dear 
Count — if we thereby do not miss the arrival of the 
Prince.” 

“ August Ferdinand will not arrive until ten o’clock, 
and until then we have fully a half hour.” 

“ Eh., hien — let us go.” — The Ulan passed his arm 
through Proczna’s and, crossing the dancing-hall, 
they, entered a small side-room, in which several 
elderly gentlemen had arranged a little game of 
Yarok. 

Flanders threw himself into a corner divan, and 
Proczna took the seat opposite him at a small marble 
table. “ Will you have something to drink?” 

Madame Von Gartner’s prot^gd elevated his nose 
in unspeakable contempt. “Rather perish! Mon 
Dieu., do not torture yourself with such physic.” 


332 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Procziia smiled. “ Very well ; then to business. 
Dare I speak to you frankly and honestly, my dear 
comrade? The affair about which I wish to speak 
not only requires discretion, but appeals to your 
spirit of gallantry, which, under no circumstances, 
would permit you to compromise a lady.” 

“ My word upon it. A lady ? Please speak — I 
am all attention ! ” — and he laid both arms on the 
table and stared at the lips of his neighbor. 

Janek lowered his voice. “ You know that I pos- 
sess Leonie’s entire confidence ? ” 

“H’m . . . Confidence ofExcellenz Von Gartner!” 
Flanders’ voice sounded sharp, he twirled his mus- 
tache nervously. 

Proczna smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “ But 
what further need of formality! We are both allies 
in a common cause, and each knows the other’s foot- 
ing with the aforesaid lady.” 

The Ulan started. “ How we stand ? ” he asked, 
drawing the words out slowly. 

“I am Leonie’s confidant, my dear Flanders, and 
as such do you not think she has given me the liberty 
of turning over the leaves of her diary, which makes 
of you a hero ? ” 

“Impossible! You are familiar only with the 
chapter on Branca ! ” 

Janek laughed softly. “And suppose I know 
something about the chapter on Flanders — that I am 
very well informed therein ? ” 

An angry flush overspread the young officer’s 
countenance. “ What grounds had Leonie for mak- 
ing such communication to you, for the publication 
of which she had the least right, and which com- 
promised herself more than any one else?” he 
angrily demanded. 

Proczna became bolder. He had beaten about the 
bush and finally received the answer he had expect- 
ed. He laid his hand firmly upon the Ulan’s arm, 
“ Let us be frank, my dear fellow. We shall come 
to the point all the sooner. You are aware that I 


POLISH BLOOD. 


333 


am this beautiful woman’s chosen cavalier. The old 
Chancellor is an almost extinguished light, and this 
charming woman is likely to be a widow ere the 
morrow. Now I beg pardon for a question, to which 
I have yet a certain right. Do you intend to marry 
Leonie when she is free ? ” 

Nameless consternation painted itself upon the 
otherwise expressionless features. He drew back as 
though he had received a blow in the face. “ For 
heaven’s sake, where did you get such a mad idea ? 
Is it possible that Madame Gartner could have enter- 
tained such an idea herself ? ” 

Janek shrugged his shoulders. “ Have you never 
given her cause for such belief? Women regard a 
kiss as an oath, and a pressure of the hand as a vow.” 

An almost brutal laugh was the reply. “ Has the 
woman gone mad ? Old enough to be my mother, 
and yet has persuaded herself I was in earnest. No, 
Proczna, I know my Pappenheimer a little too well 
for that. Pay court to the lady. . . . Give rendezvous, 
and kiss off the pretty mask, that so willingly 
offers itself. . . . That is amusing, . . . but marry? 
Ha, ha, that is enough to convulse one with laugh- 
ter.” 

“ I was lately informed that the fair lady had had 
a troubled past.” 

“ Troubled ? Stormy, I tell you. If she were to 
note down its events, the paper would scorch under 
the pen. Bah, what inference is to be drawn from 
it? The ‘ friend of the family ’ is an imported Paris- 
ian mode, and under the pet name petit Versailles" 
the jolly, pleasure-seeking garrisons of the north and 
south of our German land play the hero. All of 
which is very piquant and amusing, but yet no idea 
of marriage enters into it. The deuce ; the person 
does not even possess her own pin money. When the 
old man closes liis eyes for good, and his enormous 
salary ceases, what then? Potatoes and herring, and 
no silken finery. Ha ! lia ! ha ! If she were a gold- 
fish, and could paste a hundred thousand dollar check 


334 


POLISH BLOOD. 


over the many cracks her heart has had ! I beg of 
you, Proczna, banish all thought of marriage with 
this bird of ill omen. My courtship had, heaven 
knows, another purpose. She was but a round in 
the ladder that led to something higher. The deuce 
take her! And now I understand her anxiety to 
comfort me on account of your attentions. Donkey 
that I was. I just reproached her bitterly, and she 
swore by all that was holy that every thought of her 
heart belonged to me. Ha, ha . . . and at that very 
moment she dispatched a tender billet-doux to you. 
What? Now, now confess ! ” 

An indefinable smile quivered about the young 
Pole’s lips. “ No, on the contrary, she referred to 
you whenever I made an attempt to advance.” 

“ Satan and sulphur ; worse and more of it I Then 
I am indeed in a pickle I ” Flanders laughed con- 
vulsively. “ Won’t you enter the field with me?” 

“ Yes, but you would outstrip me in the race.” 

“ No, old friend, for that are my hands too secure- 
ly bound. She would break my neck in revenge. 
Just so long as the old man lives must I steer my 
way carefully through the cliffs, but just as soon as 
Madame Leonie’s rule is at an end ” — The teeth 
gleamed sharp and white through his pointed mus- 
tache — “ Jack of Clubs ! ” as Bicky called him. 

There was a slight commotion among the groups 
of gentlemen that stood around the buffet. A car- 
riage had just stopped before the door. 

Another moment,” said Janek, hastil3\ “ I am 
in a position to free you from the net that has en- 
snared you, if you can procure me a single billet, ad- 
dressed to yon, in Leonie’s hand.” 

“Well said, old friend. Such billets are rare. 
The little serpent knows from experience what dan- 
ger there is in pen and ink, but wait . . . Here — I 
think I have something.” He drew out his fortefeuille., 
and, with trembling fingers, hastily turned over 
the papers. “ Here is a note — make use of it — ^per- 
haps it Avill suffice.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


335 


“ When written ? ” 

“ Yesterday. And I can really depend upon you ? ” 

“ My word upon it.” 

“ Toujour is d vous!^^ Flanders shook him warmly 
by the hand. “ Regard the confession which opened 
your eyes, as my thanks ! Au revoir. His Royal 
Highness has arrived.” 

With a face red with excitement, he dashed out of 
the room, but Janek remained, and with bated breath, 
read the crumpled piece of paper. “ Do not come as 
usual. Drive at 3 o’clock, the well-known way, 
then get out and walk — and 'I will overtake you in a 
close carriage.” The handwriting was disguised, 
but yet to be recognized beyond a doubt. 

“ You may dry your tears now, Anna Regina. 
The hour of retribution has come.” 

August Ferdinand honored the entertainment of 
his adjutant with a visit as a surprise, in spite of 
many hindrances, and the continued indisposition of 
the Princess. 

The Ulans awaited his Royal Highness at the 
door. Prince Reuseck occupied a position at the 
left side, while the other officers formed a suite to 
their noble master, scarcely permitting their host a 
place in their midst. 

August Ferdinand greeted Madame Gower, and 
then extended his hand most cordially to the Prin- 
cess Reuseck, who stood at her side. The ladies of 
the exclusive court circle, with bows and smiles, soon 
surrounded the Prince like a rainbow-hued cloud, and 
before one could imagine or observe it, they had her- 
metically sealed him from the other circle. 

After the Prince had viewed two dances and par- 
taken of some refreshments he took his leave. A 
shadow lay upon his brow ; his penetrating glance 
had detected the spirit of antagonism expressed in 
many countenances. 

Only four eyes gazed with joy and delight out 
upon this gay world — those of Prince Heller-Hiinin- 
gen and his charming partner. They had become in- 


336 


POLISH BLOOD, 


separable. Donat made an extra tour after each 
dance, and Bicky had selected a special corner, where 
they met every time. 

Many a tender glance he cast at the little maiden 
that emerged like a charming little rosebud from out 
a cloud of fragrant tulle. Their conversation was 
neither witty nor wise, yet it was pure and frank, 
spoken just as it was meant. 

“ Your arms are really as big around as your waist, 
Bicky.” 

“ Is that a compliment ? ” — and her eyes opened 
wide as she gazed up at him. 

“Yes, a diabolical one! If I were a cannibal I 
should just take a bite of one of them.” 

“They really say that some of these people are 
coming here next spring.” Bicky drew her chair a 
little closer to him. “ They are called Crabs and 
they really eat live hares.” 

“ You mean, of course, Caraiben, my dear Bea- 
trice,” replied Donat, assuming the tone of an in- 
structor, with an air of conscious importance. “ The 
Caraiben are, of course, a race of Indians . . . down 
there in the vicinity of Guayana ... a country that 
some novelist has invented for his fiction. For- 
merly the Caraiben overspread the West Indies, now 
of course, they are immensely reduced, — wretched 
fellows ; they eat their dearest neighbors without 
pepper and salt, and finish the dinner with songs and 
dances loud enough to break one’s ear-drums ” 

Xenia would immediately have called for the young 
strategist’s authority for all this information, but the 
little creature gazed up at him with an expression of 
mingled awe and admiration. “ You know every- 
thing, don’t you, Donat? No matter what is men- 
tioned, you know all about it.” 

Prince Heller-II uningen sought to hide his roguery 
behind a dignified mien : 

“ In wisdom and experience, Bicky, the man must 
always be the woman’s superior, then their happiness 
is huge I I tell you what, Bicky, it is very comfort- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


337 


able to feel one is an intellectual being, — more 
immense, if anything, than to break a nag that is 
about to balk. Apropos . . . You have just declared. 
I know everything . . . No . . . Can’t agree . . . 
something, for example, I should like immensely to 
know ... but ... I know I’ll get nothing out of 
you ! ” He looked at the young lady with earnest 
eyes, while his white teeth shone coquettishly through 
his curling mustache. This was Beauty-Patch’s irre- 
sistible expression when it became a question of con- 
quest. 

Bicky gave him a sidelong glance (half delighted, 
half embarrassed). “ Do I know it ? ” 

Donat struck the carved figure with the tassel of 
the chair. “Well, yes, of course . . . you and you 
alone.” 

“ Oh, do tell me, then, what you mean.” 

“Not this evening; wait till the close of the sea- 
son. I like to have something pleasant to think 
about when I am drilling my recruits.” 

“ And won’t you have anything when you have 
said this one thing ? ” 

“ There will be no excitement ; in its stead a kind 
of a comfortable, phlegmatic feeling. Moreover, 
Bicky, when the ribbon-tour comes round in the 
cotillion, remember you choose red, and I shall do 
the same. Then, as a matter of course, we shall 
always meet. Cute, am I not?” 

Bicky nodded very earnestly, and informed him 
behind her fan that she intended to give him all the 
honors in the dance, which he regarded as a matter 
of course. Then they vied with each other over a 
vanilla cream, and again took a whirl through the 
maze of the dance. 

Janek stepped to Xenia’s side. “ Are you aware 
that a telegraph dispatch has just announced a fresh 
outbreak of the revolution in Poland? ” he whispered 
to her hurriedly. 

She trembled from head to foot. “ Is it possible ! 
Mon Dieu.) Janek, how will it end?” 

n 


338 


POLISH BLOOD. 


The disorders have increased,” continued Janek, 
excitedly. “The provisional National Government 
has issued a proclamation calling the people of Poland 
to arms. The entire nobility, the clergy, and the 
population of the cities are on the side of the insurrec- 
tion. A terrible conflict for life and liberty is immi- 
nent. Ostrolenka will open its graves, and its spirit 
heroes will rise to bear their bloody banners once more 
upon the battlefleld.” 

Xenia’s trembling hand was laid upon his arm, 
while her agonizing glance imploringly sought his 
glowing eyes. “ It will be a vain and a useless shed- 
ding of precious blood, Janek. New graves will be 
opened, new wrecks will pile themselves above Ostro- 
lenka’s ruins, and all for nothing — all for a conflict 
without victory. Poland is the Marie Stuart in his- 
tory of divided lands and kingdoms — a helpless, en- 
slaved woman that bleeds in chains. Ever will Poland 
find sympathy, but never liberty.” 

Jaiiek’s breath came short and quick. “ God for- 
bid ! Poland is not lost so long as Polish blood courses 
through human veins.” 

The joyful notes of the dance drowned his words, 
but Xenia clung all the more closely to his arm. 

“ Give me the full particulars of the cause and 
extent of the insurrection ; I am deeply interested. 
Come at an early hour to-morrow evening, and tell 
me all, before the arrival of the guests.” 

“ Right. I do indeed sing for you to-morrow eve- 
ning, just as I did on that evening when I was pre- 
sented to the present company. Strange ! ” He gazed 
thoughtfully down before him, then raising his head 
suddenly. “ I shall come, Xenia, and . . . may God 
be merciful to me that evening.” 

She glanced questioningly and anxiously up at him, 
but he turned short and walked hastily through the 
crowd. 

The tall wax candles flared in the draught, but to 
Xenia’s feverish eyes they seemed like lurid flashes 
through the air, as though they were lightning on the 


POLISH BLOOD. 


339 


horizon portending the thunder and storm that soon 
were to break roaring over her head. Woe to her if 
she cowai-dly faltered — if she did not cling to that 
only support, which would stand firm through the 
dismal horrors of the tempest. Woe to her if she did 
not cling to the love, the courageous love which was 
to be driven forth into conflict, out into the hostile 
army of the Kosyniers. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

The Princess Reuseck took her departure a half 
an hour earlier than the time appointed. Of course 
the ladies of her circle followed her example. Madame 
Von Hoftrateii had just decorated the breast of a 
“Krull-kopf ” officer of the infantry, who seemed to 
stand in high favor with her, with the “ Order of the 
Star.” “ Fresh, free and frolicsome,” she had danced 
through every cotillion with the gentlemen of the 
other circle, and at the same time kept up a “ leetle 
shat ” with the ladies ; and finally took her departure, 
leaving behind her many new friends. 

Flanders had ordered his overcoat brought to him 
in the ante-chamber. Stretching his arms out, with 
an air of one very much bored, he yawned, “ What a 
delightful evening this has been, truly ! ” 

“ Do you mean for us, Mr. Von Flanders ? ” 

He turned quickly and beheld Madame Gower, 
who had followed Madame Von Hoftraten with her 
forgotten fan. Her eyes burning with indignation, 
fixed themselves upon the young officer’s face. Flan- 
ders murmured several unintelligible words, while 
making many nervous inclinations of the head. 
Madame Von Hoftraten added, in her laconic man- 
ner, “You vas right, Madame Kower. Just gif him 
somet’ing fest right in de face. De young beeples of 
to-day haf no taste. I, for my hart, enjoyed myself 
sphlendid at your dance-barty.” 


340 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Excellenz Yon Gartner lingered for some time ; 
when the greatest number of equipages had driven 
away, she glided down the stairway like a veiled 
shadow, to her carriage. 

The servant opened the door — she stepped hastily 
in — startled — she almost reeled backwards — the car- 
riage was empty ! 

Proczna had taken leave in the corridor before her 
eyes, and had gone. Why had he not awaited her 
here according to agreement?— but perhaps some un- 
looked-for detention had made it impossible. Almost 
stunned she leaned back on the swelling cushions, the 
carriage gave a start and away dashed the horses. 

Just as Madame Von Gartner had stepped from 
her carriage and was about to ascend the steps of her 
residence, Proczna’s tall form glided like a shadow 
from behind a column and stood beside her. “ Pardon, 
Excellenz, may I ask the favor of a few minutes’ con- 
versation? A matter of the most pressing impor- 
tance.” 

“ Proczna, you here?” was the almost breathless 
reply. “ Of course I will receive you, even though 

it be at an unusual hour ! Turn on the gas, James, 

and light the chandelier in my room.” 

A sweet, intoxicating perfume pervaded the little 
boudoir. The softened light, rather veiling than re- 
vealing, flowed like mellowed moonlight through the 
broad fan leaves which arched, mysteriously protect- 
ing, over the divan. Upon the wall, consols and eta- 
gdres the rosy amorettes coquettishly beckoned, or 
alluringly spread their arms. In the midst of this 
fragrant, enchanting solitude stood Leoiiie, shimmer- 
ing in silk and decked in blossoms, captivatingly beau- 
tiful, as the fair sorceress, with snow white bosom and 
arms, that rose from out the sea-foam among reeds 
and lilies. And she spread her arms out, laugh- 
ing, full of wild, passionate love-longing — “ Janek ! ” 

He stood as though transfixed before her, then, 
with a darkened glance, he raised his head. “ What 
is the meaning of this comedy, Excellenz ? I am not 


POLISH BLOOD. 


341 


the man to obey every breath you draw. I am not 
Mr. Von Flanders, who kissed your beautiful lips 
before I did.” 

Her arms sank at her side, as though suddenly 
lamed. — “ What do you mean by this wild language, 
Proczna — What has Mr. Von Flanders to do with 
this moment ? ” 

“ Do you really not know ? ” And he crossed his 
arms over his breast, and turned his piercing glance 
down into her face. “ The very walls have ears, and 
play at eavesdropping, when a beautiful woman swears 
passionate love and faith to one lover, and writes in 
the next moment an invitation to a rendezvous on 
her dancing card to another.” 

Leonie’s cheeks were too thoroughly masked by 
art to lose their color, but her eyes became fixed and 
expressionless. 

“A calumny — an infamous, malicious calumny. 
Flanders is jealous and has made use of this despi- 
cable means to keep us apart ! Proczna ! ” Leonie 
threw herself passionately upon his breast, and 
wound her white arms about his neck. “ Believe in 
me — look into my eyes and trust them, instead of 
the envious insinuations of other tongues. I love 
you ! You have made my very soul your own.” 

Almost violently he tore himself from her embrace, 
and cast the hands that still clung to him, contempt- 
uously from him. 

“ Will you tell the same story to Mr. Von Flanders, 
when you take him up ‘ in the closed carriage, upon 
the well known way ? ’ ” 

She shrank convulsively from him, then springing 
forward like an enraged tigress, she cried : “ What 
an insult, Proczna ! How dare you offend a defense- 
less woman in this unpardonable manner? ” 

He calmly opened his portefeuille.t and held 
Flanders’ little note up to view. “You certainly 
must be aware Excellenz, how fatal a few lines like 
these may become ! It was very lucky for you that 
accident placed this little leaf into my fingers ! ” 


342 


POLISH BLOOD. 


With eyes flashing with anger, Leonie leaned for- 
ward to read the words, then, as though struck with 
a blow, she recoiled and pressed her hands to her face ; 
“ Unheard of, shameful perfidy ! ” came liissing 
through her lips, as she staggered toward the divan, 
on which she threw herself, and pressed her counte- 
nance, sobbing, into its swelling cushions. 

Proczna stepped to her side, “ You are mistaken, 
Excellenz, when you think there has been some 
treachery at work. If there was any, it was that 
which you practiced on yourself, and your much-to- 
be-pitied husband, when you threw yourself heedlessly 
into the arms of a man for whose character you had 
no guaranty whatever. What a strange error for 
your sharp, despotic spirit, whose element it was to 
weave nets and lay traps for other people ! And it 
now finds itself caught in the snare which served as 
leading strings for others.” 

For a moment deep silence reigned — Leonie made 
no sign. 

“ I stand before you for the last time, Excellenz,” 
continued Janek, in a milder and lower tone ; for 
the last time, at least, when it will be possible for me 
to speak openly and unreservedly to you.” 

She started up ; wide open and tearless stared her 
sorceress eyes. “ No, no, Janek, not that ! Do not 
go from me in anger and resentment ! . . . Weakness, 
thy name is woman ! ” She raised her white, con- 
vulsively-clasped hands toward him. The gold bands 
fell jingling back upon her arms. A sweet, signifi- 
cant smile played about her lips. “ And I was weak 
because I loved you. Because I feared Flanders’ 
jealousy I entangled myself in a web of falsehood 
that I might reach the protecting shore ; but I sank 
deeper and deeper into the flood. Proczna, . . . 
who loves much must be forgiven much — and I love 
you beyond all bounds, . . . and you will not, you 
can not, part with me in hatred ! ” 

She had slowly risen and fawningly approached 
him, nearer and nearer, like a hot, consuming flame 


POLISU BLOOD. 


343 


whose forked tongue flatteringly plays with the storm- 
wind to quench itself. 

“ I have neither to pardon nor to forgive, Excel- 
lenz, for your intended faithlessness, thank heaven 
has made no wound, and I am artist enough to ac- 
knowledge the little comedy that you have played 
before me in its different acts as a very amusing and 
skillfully played performance. I would, however, 
like to give you a word of advice. Should you, when 
you are free, sincerely wish to love and be loved, 
change your r61e in the earnest play. A ‘ Lady 
Tartuffe ’ may find lovers at any time, but never a 
husband; for respect is the only foundation upon 
which Hymen erects his golden throne.” 

For a moment she stood as though transfixed 
before him, with her countenance distorted as though 
she were ready to burst into a wild, derisive laugh. 
She pressed her balled hand against her breast as 
though she would restrain herself from burying her 
nails in his eyes. 

“ I thank you for your friendly advice, Janek 
Proczna,” said she in a hoarse voice, “ and I shall 
remember it. But you will not injure my name and 
future ? ” 

“ Not in the least.” 

“ Then be merciful and give those two notes back 
to me ! ” As she stood gazing up at him, with an 
expiring glance, and her hands folded imploringly 
over her breast, she was the picture of a crushed, 
miserable woman. 

Proczna understood the comedy. “ Of course, 
these two documents are at any time at your dispo- 
sition — under one condition ! ” He opened his forte- 
feuille and drew forth the papers. 

In almost greedy haste Leonie stretched forth her 
hand to take them. “ Give them to me. I promise 
anything — everything.” 

He calmly drew the notes back. “ One thing for 
another, Excellenz. Will you please hand me Anna 


344 


POLISH BLOOD. 


Regina’s letters referring to the March^se de Branca 
affair?” 

Again her voice burst like a hiss from her lips : 
“ What value could these letters possibly have for 
you?” 

“ But little indeed for me, but much for Branca.” 

A mocking laugh was the response, then throwitig 
back her head, she measured him, with a derisive 
glance, from head to foot : “ Ah, now I begin to 
comprehend ! Now the scales fall from my eyes ! 
And you — you dare to speak to me of playing a com- 
edy ? ‘ Lady Tartuffe ’ has found a partner — a ‘ Meph- 
istophiles.’ A noble mission, Mon Dieu ! I congrat- 
ulate the Marchdse on having such a friend, and 
applaud the concert singer, Janek Proczna, for the 
noble talent which has enabled him to reach his goal by 
creeping in the serpent’s track.” 

An amused smile hovered about Proczna’s lips. 
“ It is growing late in the night, Excellenz. If we 
conclude to settle the matter of the exchange — ” 

“ That would be a very difficult matter ! ” — Leo- 
nie’s eyes flashed in wild triumph. “ Those little 
notes were burned long ago.” 

“Oh. . . . that is very unfortunate, perhaps we 
can induce them to rise again from their ashes — I 
shall wait just five minutes.” 

“Perhaps you would like to remain the night,” 
said she, in a shrill, irritated voice. 

“ Why not ? That certainly would not be a mat- 
ter of much surprise — especially as I have your in- 
vitation in black and white.” 

“ Before I give up these papers I would permit 
myself to be stoned by the people of this city.” 

“ Oh, no, you certainly would not do that. Again, 
Excellenz, either those valueless papers, or I go 
directly to your husband, His Excellency Von Gart- 
ner. A pensioned Excellenz, or a calumniated 
widow, or a divorced wife has no r61e to play in this 
world. Therefore I would most earnestly urge you 
of two evils to accept the lesser.” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


345 


A moment her supple figure swayed with impotent 
fury, then, drawing herself up suddenly : ‘‘ Promise 
me upon your honor that you will destroy these 
papers.” 

“ Within four and twenty hours ! ” 

“ And that no human being shall know of their ex- 
istence ! ” 

“ You are aware that I have acted in the interest 
of a certain personage ! ” 

“ Well, let it be so. As to the personage, no mat- 
ter. And these two notes — will their existence die 
forever on your lips ? ” 

“ My word for it ! ” 

Leonie drew a long breath and staggered toward 
her writing-desk. With trembling hands she opened 
the secret drawer. “ Here. . . take them ! ” 

“ Are these all ? ” 

“ All.” 

“ I thank you. Here is your dancing-card, and 
Flander’s note. We are quits.” 

Before a glowing fire in her apartment sat Xenia 
in full toilette, with her uncovered shoulders envel- 
oped in a white lace shawl, and her feet resting upon 
the head of a gray bear’s skin. The wax candles and 
chandeliers in the salons and music room had been 
lighted some time. 

Just at that moment Janek entered, and walking 
up to his sister, pressed both of her extended hands 
with an unusual degree of warmth and agitation, and 
then seated himself by the fire at her side. 

“ Have you just come from Uncle Drach’s ?” 

He stared into the fire’s glow, and bowed affirm- 
atively. “ I bring you Aunt Clara’s regrets. She is 
suffering again with a severe headache, and ” — a smile 
quivered for a moment about his lips — “ as Donat is 
prevented by his official duties from being present, 
Bicky has concluded to remain with her mother.” 

Xenia looked up perplexed. “ How unfortunate I 
The General’s wife has not returned from her Christ- 
mas journey. Who will do the honneurs ? ” 


346 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ You ! People will accept matters as they are. 
August Ferdinand will also not be here this evening. 
Have you received any regrets from the other ladies ?” 

“ Madame Von Hoftraten has just declined, and 
apparently without any very good reason. I have 
never known her to be ill within the last three years, 
and to-day she was taken ill with a cold.” 

Proczna nodded. “ I know Madame Von Hoftra- 
ten is a kind-hearted person, ever willing to oblige a 
friend. Well; and so nearly all of my best friends 
will be absent.” There was a tone of triumphant 
satisfaction in his voice. 

“ Excellenz Von Gartner will be here, and of course 
she will compensate you for their absence.” 

“ Do you think so ? ” He laughed aloud. 

Xenia leaned forward and gazed searchingly into 
his face. “ You act so strangely, Janek. Have you 
had bad news from beyond the border ? ” 

He replied, deeply, “ I am still under the influence 
of a very painful scene through which I passed last 
evening. I know I acted right, but still I am tor- 
mented by reproaches.” 

“ What is the nature of the charge of which you 
accuse yourself ? ” 

“ Of having had weakness for an adversary, and 
used weapons with which one seldom battles.” 

“ I am convinced no other choice was left you.” 

He gazed up at her with a pleased expression in 
his eyes, and impetuously seizing her hand pressed it 
to his lips. “ I thank you, Xenia, for having such 
faith in me. Yes, you are right ; there was no other 
choice left me. When one turns hunter he dare not 
spare even the dove if it peck at the eyes of the kingly 
eagle.” 

The fire flashed up and sent its quivering lights 
over the golden-blonde head. Xenia’s voice sounded 
tremulous with its half-suppressed joy. “ I do not 
understand your enigmatical words, Janek, nor do I 
know how to interpret them. Nevertheless, I am 
sure that your hand would never wield an unworthy 


POLISH BLOOD. 


34T 


weapon, and that Janek Proczna would never follow 
a banner that was not borne into the field in the cause 
of honor and right.” 

The finger that was laid on her arm as though to 
interrupt her, trembled slightly, while the glance of 
his dark eyes glowed warmly into hers. “ Even 
though this flag floats at the head of a band of Ro- 
sy niers,” — and though Janek Proczna casts his Ger- 
man sabre from him and swing the Polish scythe.” 

She closed her eyes and pressed her hands against 
her heaving breast, then with a low, clear, firm voice 
she answered : if Janek Proczna becomes a Ko- 
synier, then I shall know that the name is not an 
unworthy one, and that the struggle for Poland’s free- 
dom is not revolt for a lost cause, but a holy mission, 
in which every honorable man can engage.” 

“ Xenia ! ” came from Proczna’s lips, like an ex- 
ulting cry, as he sprang forward and leaned upon the 
back of her chair. A moment of deep silence, then 
a low whisper burst from his lips : “No, Poland’s 
cause is not lost ! ” — Then kneeling before her and 
inclosing her folded hands in his own, he gazed up 
into her face as though she were a saint. “ God 
bless you for those words, Xenia ! One hears 
them seldom on German lips. But how will it be 
when tlie whole woi'ld turns against the Kosyniers, — 
when every being whose opinions you regard as 
sacred as your gospel pass their sentence upon the 
wearied sons of freedom, and you stand alone with 
your sympathy for this enslaved people, the pro- 
scribed among outlaws ? ” 

She shook her beautiful head, while a luminous 
smile lit up her countenance. “ I shall not be pro- 
scribed, Janek, for all hearts capable of feeling will 
tremble with the joys and sorrows of Poland.” 

He rose and with some difficulty controlled him- 
self. “Human liearts are like straws in the wind. 
Would you have the courage to break with the past 
if it became the barricade of your future ? ” 

Her countenance became a shade paler. “i!fow 


348 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Lieu,, Janek, that will not be necessary. ... I 
cannot believe that dissension will manifest itself so 
rudely.” . . . 

His head sank low and troubled upon his breast. 
Before his mental vision in the refined gold of her 
nature there still lingered a few grains of base metal 
which could only be eliminated in love’s fiery cruci- 
ble before it could be formed into rings whose golden 
purity would truly symbolize the true, without be- 
ginning and without end. — 

The salons again opened. The familiar circle again 
assembled to form a brilliant foil to Anna Regina’s 
pale, delicate beauty. Excellenz Von Gartner came 
late, almost at the same time with the Princess, 
who, followed by the Countess Kany, punctual as 
ever, extended her hand in a warm greeting to her 
young hostess. 

Proczna asked permission to postpone his share of 
the musical entertainment until the close of the even- 
ing. The guests chatted for a short time, and then 
repaired to the dining-hall. Madame Leonie looked 
strikingly pale in her black silken robe ; dark 
shadows, in spite of the powder, had settled about her 
eyes. Her countenance, as well as that of the Coun- 
tess Kany, betrayed an unwonted degree of irritable 
excitement. Both ladies completely ignored the 
salutation given them by Count Dynar’s adopted son. 

At the table Madame Leonie with the greatest 
disdain related the latest news of the revolt in Po- 
land. She could scarcely choose words sharp enough 
to cut the rebel mob to pieces. 

Proczna turned toward her with an ironical smile. 
‘‘ A few weeks ago, when I had the pleasure of meet- 
ing you here for the first time, Excellenz, in your 
enthusiasm for Poland’s cause you wore the portrait 
of August the Strong in holy reverence upon your 
bosom. May I ask whether it is still in the ser- 
vice ? ” 

Leonie measured the speaker with half closed eyes, 
and supercilious air. ‘‘ I do not know in what re- 


POLISH BLOOD. 


349 


lation you stand to this Polish affair, Mr. Proczna, 
but I assume that ‘ blood will tell,’ and therefore I 
decline giving you a positive answer.” 

“ You have, of course, an immense amount of sym- 
pathy for your noble countrymen ?” interposed the 
Countess Kany, giggling in an impertinent manner. 

“ Certainly, my clear Countess. I am probably one 
of Polands most enthusiastic adherents.” Janek spoke 
loud enough to be heard by those around him, who 
began to draw nearer. 


Leonie in the meanwhile exchanged significant 
glances with the bystanders. 

“ Then of course you will take your place in the 
ranks of battle^ and swing your ‘ threshing flail ’ for 
Liberty and Equality ? ” The maid of honor’s little 
eyes snapped defiance at the Pole, but Anna Eegina 
blushed, with embarrassment to the very roots of her 
blonde hair. 

“ Why not. Countess ? One is so often obliged, 
from respect or consideration, to sit still with foldeci 
hands when he feels like dealing out merited blows, 
that it is a kindness to give him occasion to swing 
his ‘ flail ’ vigorously upon another’s.” 

Flanders laughed aloud, “ Famous!” 

But Anna Regina seized Xenia’s trembling hand 
in her own, and said by way of apology : “ Politics is 
the apple of discord in every society. You see that 
sometimes the best of friends declare war over it.” 

“ The police have even forbidden the singing of 
the Polish hymn that implores the deliverance of 
Poland,” cried the Countess Ettesbacli in conciliatory 
merriment. “ I consider that perfectly ridiculous, for 
one ought to be allowed to pray as he pleases.” 

“ But not openly I ” Leonie’s glance fixed itself 
almost threateningly upon the Lieutenant’s little 
wife, who dared to have an opinion of her own. “ It 
should be suppressed, as that royalist who makes 
seditious speeches or chorals that call for uprisings 
and demonstrations that set all law and discipline 
at defiance.” 


350 


POLISH BLOOD, 


Janek smiled and crossed his' arms over his breast. 
“ Do you tread the song, which but a short time ago 
was the essence of poetry, under your feet ? You 
may close your churches to an unhappy people sup- 
plicating for deliverance, but just so long as Polish 
tongus can lisp, so long as a drop of Polish blood 
circles in human lips, .and so long as courage and 
proud confidence live in the hearts of my brothers, 
so long will ‘ Boze ! cos polsk przez toik ! liczwue wieki! 
resound to the very heavens, and just so long is Po- 
land’s cause not lost.” 

In proud defiance the speaker threw back his head, 
while intense feeling flashed from his dark eyes and 
enthusiasm shone on his brow. 

At that moment the Princess Reuseck crossed the 
threshold from the adjoining room. She calmly 
touched Proczna’s arm with her fan. “Well, ‘im- 
mortal one,’ what say you to the promised musical 
treat ? I see that the piano stands invitingly open ! ” 

With a feverish, anxious glance had Xenia listened 
to Janek ; and at the words of the Princess a tremor 
passed through her limbs. She felt as though she 
ought to step toward him and draw him away from 
the piano, and yet she stood transfixed, held by one 
wish — one longing — to hear from his lips the song 
that would bear Poland’s sorrows to the very throne 
of the Highest. 

Proczna gravely turned his head. “ There is but 
one composition, your Highness, and that I would 
sing with all the passionate earnestness the sentiment 
demands.” 

“ Men — Let us hear it then, if you please.” 

The Countess Ettesbach’s eyes grew big with anx- 
ious fear, and raising her hand, deprecatingly, she 
cried, “ But man Dieu ! not that revolutionary ” — 

She stopped suddenly, dumb with fear. Madame 
Leonie’s hand had fastened itself to her arm like a 
vise. 

^ “ Mr. Proczna has certainly tact enough to select 
his songs in his own opinion to suit his audience I ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


SBl 

said she, in a sarcastic tone, stepping to Anna Regina’s 
side, and whispering a few words into her ear. 

Perplexit}^ depicted itself upon the features of the 
noble lady. She made a motion as though to restrain 
Proczna, but Excellenz Gartner barred her passage. 
Again a few low words were whispered into the 
Princess’ ear. She hesitated, and bowing her head 
upon her breast, submissively acquiesced in the 
other’s will. 

The officers found themselves in a very embarrass- 
ing position. They had retired to one side, where 
they conversed in a tone of constrained animation, 
ostensibly perfectly unconscious of the fatal scene 
played so near them. 

Proczna had, without a word further, seated him- 
self at the grand piano. His fingers glided in short 
prelude over the keys, softly beginning and gradually 
swelling into the stormiest passion, then sinking, 
solemn and earnest, until it died away in low sobbing 
of the deepest sorrow. Then the voice blended 
with the accompaniment — a sorrowful lamentation — 
“ Boze ! ” a solemn prayer and entreaty, swelling to 
that fervid inspiration which seizes the soul and car- 
ries it away with it j whose tones, like burning tears, 
fall into the heart and make it throb and tremble 
with unspeakable sorrow at the woes of one’s native 
land. “ Boze ! cos Polshe przez tak liczwe wieki / 
Okryta hlaskiem potegi i chwaly ! ” 

With her form drawn up to its fullest height, and 
glowing cheeks, Xenia listened. Like a fiery flood 
the music spread through her veins! seized with a 
wild delight, she trembled in every limb, bright tears 
came into her eyes, and her hands, at first uncertain 
and nervous, pressed themselves against her breast, 
as though it would burst with pleasure and pain. 
Yes, Janek, you were right ! These are Jadwiga’s wild, 
sweet songs that have slumbered in my heart. These 
are the tender chords of your native home which I 
drew from the breast of my Polish nurse, and now 
awakened with all the power and pathos that music 


352 


POLISH BLOOD. 


ever enthralled the human soul, they sing and dance 
through iny being like the echo of exulting joy. 
“ Nasza Ojezyrne racz nam wrowic Panie ” 

Silent and deserted were the salons. Even though 
Anna Regina’s lips had trembled with sympathy, 
Madame Leonie’s flashing glance had pitilessly con- 
trolled them. 

The Countess Dynar’s guests had taken their 
departure, some hurriedly, in timid embarrassment ; 
others adapting their sails easily to the new wind, 
with offensive coldness ; all following the example 
of Anna Regina. The Countess Kany, with leering 
eyes, whispered to those about her, “ Her Highness 
is very much offended.” 

And not a sound was to be heard but the singing 
of the lights in their crystal bells. In the centre of 
the room stood Janek Proczna, gazing in gloomy 
scorn at the door which now arose like a dividing 
wall for eternity between him and the people that 
had just disappeared behind it. Motionless sat Xenia, 
with her anxious gaze fixed upon his countenance. 

“ Poor Poland ! A song in thy glory, and in thy 
honor, makes the mouth that sings it an outlaw’s, 
breaks friendship like glass, and in moment strips 
from the ‘ immortal,’ ‘ the God-favored one,’ all the 
gay trappings that extravagant homage has heaped up- 
on him ! These are our friends, Xenia. Why do 
you remain here ? Why do you not show me the 
door ? ” 

She shook her head. She essayed to speak, but 
could not. He came a step nearer and his flashing 
glance sank into her eyes. Consider who stands be- 
fore you ! Deserted by the world — driven forth by 
the circle whose society is as indispensable to you as 
the air for breathing — a man without a name — with- 
out position — a rebel, who stands ready in passionate 
conviction to stand under the flag of the Kosyniers 
— himself the son of a Wolczegas . . . What is there 
to bind you still to me ? Now, that all have turned 
from me, why do you not go also ? ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


353 


A half-smothered cry burst from her lips — “ Janek ! ” 
Beside herself, in trembling agitation, forgetting all 
that lay between the past and present, driven on by 
an irresistible power, she threw herself upon his 
‘breast, winding her arms about his neck, weeping, 
exulting in passionate joy. “ Because I can not 
leave you, Janek. Because your songs have bound 
me with their magic fetters. Because I love you, 
Janek, more than heaven and earth — more than 
human tongue can tell.” 

He pressed her closely to his breast. He covered 
her face with hot kisses. Then throwing himself at 
her feet he pressed his agitated countenance in the 
soft, silken folds of her garment. 

“ Xenia ! — Xenia ! ” 

The picture he had seen in clouds and dreams had 
become a reality, and now all his bold daring — his 
faithful waiting and hoping — all the long hours of 
struggle and self-control were to be rewarded. She 
loved him — loved with the passion and true devotion 
that ever a woman’s heart had ever felt — him — the 
Kosynier — the proscribed — the man who possessed 
nothing but himsel^ 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

Janek Proczna stood in the vestibule of the palace. 

“ Does her Royal Highness, the Princess, receive 
this morning?” 

A servant in livery glided officiously to his side. 
“ Yes, your lordship, Madame Gower and the Baron- 
nees Lanke have just gained an audience.” 

“ What maid of honor is in attendance this morn- 
ing?” 

“ The Countess Kany.” 

“ Very well ; I shall accompany you forthwith — it 
will not be necessary to announce me.” 

In the ante-chamber of the Princess’s drawing-room 

23 


354 


POLISH BLOOD. 


sat the elderly maid of honor, half reclining in a 
rocking-chair. Upon her high shoulder perched a 
parrot, with which she vied in eating sweet kernels. 
She started from her seat as though electrified as the 
door opened and the tall form of Proczna, followed' 
by the footman, stood before her. She raised her 
lorgnette to her eyes, as though to satisfy herself of 
the reality of the visit before her; then, assuming 
all the awe-inspiring dignity her unfortunate figure 
permitted, she asked in a shrill voice : “ Why do you 
appear before me unannounced?” 

Proczna, with a formal bow, replied : “ Because I 
am in haste. Countess, and I wish to request you to 
procure me an immediate audience with her High- 
ness.” 

The lips of the maid of honor curled with unutter- 
able scorn : “You certainly must be aware that you 
are debarred from anything of the kind.” 

“ That may be questioned. Again, I ask, as a favor, 
that you say to her Highness I beg the honor of an 
interview concerning a matter of great importance.” 

' The little eyes of the countess fairly snapped behind 
their red lids. “ I regret, but her Highness is some- 
what indisposed, and will receive no more guests this 
morning.” 

“ I am convinced that her Highness will make an 
exception of me. Will you have the kindness, there- 
fore, to announce me?” 

She measured him with a sneering glance from 
head to foot. “ No — that door will remain forever 
closed to the singer of Polish revolutionary songs.” 

J anek shrugged his shoulders. “ I am willing to run 
the risk. I know that the Princess has received this 
morning, and that she is now prepared for visitors. 
If you still refuse to perform your official duties, there 
remains but one thing for me to do — to appear before 
her Highness unannounced.” 

The elderly Miss fluttered in wild excitement 
toward the door, and planted herself protectingly 
upon the threshold. “ How dare you ! ” she hissed. 


POLISH BLOOD. 


355 

coloring as red as a cherry with rage ! “ It would not 
be well for you ! If you insist upon a formal dismissal, 
register yourself. There, upon the table, lies the 
book for ladies and gentlemen.” 

will permit me to act according to my own 
judgment. Again, will you announce me ? ” 

“No.” 

Janek calmly extended his hand, seized the Count- 
ess by the arm, and pressed her to one side as easily 
as though she were a bird’s wing, and in the next 
mornent disappeared through the door into Anna 
Regina’s apartment. 

A cry of rage burst from the Countess’s lips. Then 
a thought flashed through her brain. She would in- 
form the Prince that Proczna had a rendezvous with 
the Princess. He would rave in blind jealousy, and 
without waiting to question, would order the imperti- 
nent Monsieur from the palace. As though pursued 
by furies, a malicious smile on her colorless lips, 
she stormed breathlessly along the corridor, and in 
the next moment, wild with feverish excitement, and 
regardless of appearances, she stood breathless before 
the Prince. 

Lieutenant Gower was reading a paper to August 
Ferdinand, who turned, and at sight of the maid of 
honor’s face started from his seat. 

“ What brings you here. Countess — an accident? ” 

“ Worse than that, your Highness,” she panted. 
“ Janek Proczna has forced himself into Her High- 
ness’ apartments — and — and she is entirely alone 
with the mad fellow ! ” 

The countenance of the Prince changed color. A 
threatening cloud overspread his brow. 

“ This communication should have been made 
with more discretion, without witnesses,” he replied, 
in a tone of great severity. “ I forbid the use of any 
word implying suspicion of the Princess. My con- 
sort could never be compromised, no matter with 
whom she might be found alone. Her position is 
her safeguard, and it will always command respect,” 


356 


POLISH BLOOD. 


He turned toward the door and motioned the maid 
of honor, who, with a crestfallen air, was about to 
follow him, to remain. “ Stay here ! — Lieutenant 
Gower, have the kindness to entertain the Count- 
ess.” 

With hasty footsteps August Ferdinand passed 
through the nursery, into the suite of salons, in the 
midst of which lay the drawing-room of the Prin- 
cess. 

The thick carpet deadened his footsteps. With 
quickened pulse he stepped behind the portifere. 
Every word exchanged on the other side fell dis- 
tinctly upon his ear. Involuntarily he leaned against 
the doorway, and waited with bated breath, he wished 
to liave positive information, and this was the only 
means to obtain it ; a sudden entrance would only 
complicate the affair. 

“ I know, your Highness, that you are as pure, 
spotless and innocent as the lilies placed by pious 
faith upon the Virgin’s altar. By a few harmless and 
— pardon the word — inconsiderate lines you placed 
yourself in the power of a woman who pitilessly 
wove from them a snare whose crushing weight you 
have been compelled to endure through long years.” 

A low sobbing fell upon the ear of the Prince. “ Oh, 
I have suffered unutterable misery, my heavenly 
Father only knows how my heart has been torn with 
fear and anxiety. And not a moment’s relief. The 
thought of my tormentor rested like an Alps upon 
my soul. To know the baseness of her character, 
and still to be powerless to cast her from me in dis- 
gust, was still another inconceivable torture.” 

“ And why, your Highness, had you never the 
courage to go to your roj^al husband and frankly and 
honestly explain the unfortunate misunderstanding, 
and thereby, with one effort, destroy the net in which 
the low ambition of a cunning spirit had ensnared 
you ? ” ^ 

The voice came low and trembling : “ I have in- 
deed often thought of doing so, but the moment my lips 


POLISH BLOOD. 


357 

opened to speak, anxiety and want of courage closed 
my throat. There is every proof against me, and what 
good would it do for me to assert my innocence ? My 
greatest distress, Proczna, is that my husband’s un- 
just jealousy bars my way to his heart.” Like the 
sudden burst of a long pent-up grief sounded the 
voice, choking with tears and trembling with sorrow. 
“ August Ferdinand has faith in no woman. This 
he has often told me in moments of passionate excite- 
ment, and these are the words that have closed my 
lips like an icy hand when I would have thrown my- 
self on his breast and implored him to free me from 
Madame Leonie’s torment. These are the words 
that choked the awakening confidence, with the fear- 
ful thought, ‘ He would never believe you.’ ” 

For a moment deep silence reigned in the salon, 
then Anna Regina continued in a brighter tone: 
“ And now comes deliverance, and trom a source I 
had least imagined or expected it. You have, then, 
those unfortunate notes in your hand, and still you 
believe in my innocence ? ” 

“As firmly as I do in my own existence. The 
first evening I met you I was struck by the signs of 
a secret grief that slumbered in your eyes. I then 
determined to cast all my power in the service of 
your Highness. I sought for the cause of your sor- 
row, and God rewarded my efforts. Here are the 
sources from which Excellenz Von Gartner empoi- 
soned your life. To return you these letters is the 
highest reward a man who wears his sword at his 
side in defence of noble women ever received.” 

“ Oh, Proczna — and I — I so unkindly offended 
you last night I ” 

“ No, not you. Highness. It was the last time 
Excellenz Gartner and Countess Kany sat at the 
helm of your life’s bark.” 

“ How shall I thank you ? ” 

“ Permit me, as a mark of your favor, to add a few 
words in defence of my behavior last night, as it calls 
for explanation.” 


358 


POLISH BLOOD. 


“ Wait a moment, my dear Proczna ; let me also 
have a share in this vindication ! ” interrupted a 
voice behind the young Pole. 

August Ferdinand stepped through the portiere, 
and deeply moved, extended both hands to the friend 
of his wife. Then stepping eagerly to Anna Regina, 
he pressed the paling, trembling little form in his 
arms and imprinted a kiss upon her brow. With 
affectionate tenderness she clung to his arm. For a 
moment eye gazed into eye with a silent though 
eloquent understanding. 

“ I have been an ear-witness of your conversation 
and I thank you for every word of it.” 

After a short exposition of the differences and in- 
trigues that had for so long a period troubled the 
life of Anna Regina, and the affairs of the city and 
garrison, August Ferdinand pressed his hand to his 
fevered brow : “ And all this the work of a single 
intriguing woman I ” 

Then the Prince suddenly turned the subject of 
conversation. “ And so you offended our good 
friends by your revolutionary opinions and songs 
last night ? ” said he, evidently amused. 

Proczna smiled. It was only a storm in a glass 
of water, your Highness — 1 am not so utterly de- 
praved as I appeared ; and, if I may be permitted to 
open up my singular life, I hope to stand completely 
vindicated before the eyes of my royal master.” 

“ Speak, you singular being. It will interest me 
much to understand the depths of a nature that was, 
from the moment of our first meeting, so sympa- 
thetic.” 

And Proczna gave in a clear, concise manner the 
romance of his life. “ I became an actor the moment 
I entered your city. I felt like the player who says, 
Va hanque. To win Xenia, meant to dash boldly and 
fully equipped into the ring. The affairs of your 
city were familiar to me even to the very details, to 
the mastery of which my untiring efforts for two 
years were devoted, and I made capital of my knowl- 


r POLISH BLOOD. 


359 


edge. T often doubted my ability to play the r61e, 
which was more difficult and disagreeable than I can 
tell you, through to its end ; but true love is like the 
magic mantle of Klingsohrs. Its wonder-powers 
bear us over cliffs and giant mountains. Neverthe- 
less, I breathe freely now, like one that can strip the 
close, oppressive mask from his face and show the 
world an honest countenance.” 

August Ferdinand laughed softly to himself. “ And 
the Kosyniers? How about them? Will the last 
act of the romance really be played in the camp of 
the rebels ?” 

Proczna shook his head, with a melancholy smile, 
“ The last act of my r61e, which was played last even- 
ing, was a singular mixture of truth and fiction.” He 
gazed frankly and bravely into the Prince’s eyes. “I 
do not retract a single word I said last night, for the 
land to which my father devoted his life and shed his 
blood, the land which gave me birth, and nourished 
the roots of our family tree for centuries, is as dear 
and holy to me, though a rude storm cast me out of 
it, as the land of my adoption. Yes, your Highness, 
I am a Pole — a Pole in body and soul. Transplant a 
branch into whatever soil you may, it will never deny 
the source, and, although a strange destiny placed 
me here upon the boundary of Poland and Germany, 
neither country can banish the other. Their national 
colors are blended into one glorious rainbow — the 
sign of reconciliation, and peace. And may Poland’s 
destiny shape itself as God wills, I shall love the en- 
slaved land as well as the free.” 

August Ferdinand’s countenance wore an earnest, 
but not a displeased expression. His e 3 ^es rested full 
of kindly interest upon the frank, noble features of 
the speaker, whose character stood revealed before 
him as though a veil had been withdrawn from it. 
“ Then you will take your place in the ranks of the 
Kosyniers ? ” 

a" hot flush flamed to Proczna’s brow. His lu^ad 
rose proudly and bravely upon his shoulders. “No, 


360 


POLISH BLOOD. 


your Highness. I should have but one prayer, and 
that should plead for Poland’s freedom. All that I 
possess, in money and lands, should be sacrificed for 
her cause. I would shelter Poland’s fugitives — help, 
give, protect, as long and as much as I could, for I 
am a son of a Pole ; but though the blood that courses 
in my veins is pure, one thing has my German 
education and adopted country engrafted upon the 
foreign plant a deep impression of German honor 
and German loyalty ! This hand, therefore, that has 
sworn allegiance upon the German sword, will never 
raise that weapon against the country in battle. My 
love for Poland high above much, but my honor 
above all ! ” 

Anna Regina s consort seized the speaker’s hand 
in both his own, and pressed it warmly. “ May it be 
God’s will to span the rainbow of harmony over both 
lands ; Polish blood and German thought produce a 
noble and powerful union, of which you, Proczna, 
are a proof.” 

August Ferdinand then besought Count Dynar to 
reinstate himself in his social position, by appearing 
the next evening with the royal family at the opera. 

Proczna, somewhat embarrassed, hesitated, then 
gazed franldy into the Prince’s eyes. “ I called up 
the painful scene of yesterday with cool deliberation 
in order to play my highest trump, upon which I had 
staked my future happiness. Xenia loves me ; my 
only wish now is to free her from her surroundings 
and carry my treasure to the quiet solitude, in order 
that the storms of life may not strip the rose un- 
timely of its leaves ! Xenia wanted to know the 
world, but now she will seek her happiness far from 
it.” 

“ The harsh discord of the other evening will never 
be obliterated from her soul by a harmonious ending 
of the same affair, my dear Proczna, so secure your 
charming bride as soon as possible, and bear her on 
the ‘ wings of song ’ to the secure walls of your castle. 
But before going have regard for the family of your 


POLISH BLOOD. 


361 

guardian, and triumph over the two serpents who for 
so long a time threatened to undermine the peace of 
our existence.” 

Anna Regina, over whose delicate face a flush 
spread itself, turned her luminous eyes beseechingly 
upon him and kindly extended her little hand. 

“Yes, it shall die away,” he said softl}^ “in order 
that to my wife and me there may remain the hope 
of laying at your feet one day the fragrant wreaths, 
which our true and devoted memories have woven 
for you in our solitude.” 

The wide folding doors that led to the veranda of 
the Castle of Procznar stood wide open. Tlie soft 
night air, and the silvery moonlight flowed caressingly 
about a young pair, who but a few moments before 
had crossed the threshold. A mourning robe flowed 
about Xenia’s slender form, and the countenance 
that leaned upon the beloved husband’s shoulder was 
stained with tears. -Poland is lost. Her laurel 
wreaths lie trampled in the dust ; her torn banner 
buried under the soles of the enemy’s feet. 

Janek Proczna gazed up at the night sky, in which 
shone the stars like so many tender, faithful eyes. 
“ Boze cos Polske przez tak liezne wieki ! ” came like a 
sorrow-laden question from his lips, and that which 
raged and glowed in his heart burst forth in song to 
the very stars. 

In the shadows of the garden pathway, and lean- 
ing heavily upon the arm of a peasant, an aged, gray- 
haired man, with the painful effort of one dying, 
dragged his way toward the castle. 

The moonlight fell upon the haggard features upon 
which already lay the shadows of death, h he same 
man who once, fleeing with his children through the 
wild snow-storm, knocked at the gates cf Proczna. 
He had kept his word; he had neither sought his son 
nor inquired for him. He felt he would be restored 
to him when Poland’s glory should rise again, and he 
had struggled and fought ; he had lived only for his 
unhappy country. 


362 


POLISH LLOOD. 

Suddenly the torch of the rebellion is lighted. 
He has become old from want and exposure. Hope 
rejuvenates him, and he hastens to Poland. He bat- 
tles like a youth. He seeks his son — Will he hesi- 
tate? No, a thousand times, no! Janek is his son, 
and Polish blood never denies itself — He wanders 
over the battlefield. He stares into the faces of the 
living and the dead. Nowhere is his son to be dis- 
covered. Bitterness and desperation rank in his 
heart. Severely wounded, he lay hidden in a shep- 
herd’s hut, nursed by his old and faithful groom, 
Aloizy, whom he had again found under the flag of 
the Kosyniers, and \\ho, faithful as a shadow, had 
fought by his master’s side. 

“ To my son I Let me see him once more before I 
die. Let me see whether Polish blood can really so 
deny itself ! ” — And the tears rolled down his cheeks, 
and Aloizy lifted the dying man with his strong 
arms, and on he wandered with him many wearisome 
days toward the castle of Proczna. 

“Aloizy,” whispered the dying man softly, as the 
wind that stirred the blossomed brandies, “ do not 
betray my name ... by all the saints in heaven, 
no. ... I am a stranger to my son — a stranger ! ” 

“ My gracious master, I promise ! — but may God 
enlighten his soul and give his heart a thousand eyes, 
to recognize you.” 

“ I am a Pole, Aloizy . . . and he ” — A deep 
groan burst from his lips, and he sank back into tlie 
arms of his faithful follower. “ I cannot die now 
. . . No, not yet.” Then sounds fell on his ear — 
full, powerful, piercing with its nameless sorrow : 
“ Boze cos Polske tak liezne wieki ! ” Only a Pole 
can sing like that. 

Like the sudden flashing of an expiring flame the 
gray head, trembling, lifted itself, while the light 
kindled anew in his hollow sockets. “Aloizy . . . 
do you hear ? ” . . . Boze cos Polske , . . Nearer, 
Aloizy . . , God’s angels are calling me . . . Ah, 
what sounds ! ” 


POLISH BLOOD. 


363 


With desperate effort he rose and staggered for- 
ward, in the arms of his companion, toward the ter- 
race. Cautiously they approached behind the shrub- 
bery. Now they stand upon the steps. Above, on 
the veranda, the moonlight with its silvery sheen 
floods two tall forms. A young woman leans her 
head upon the breast of the Lord of Proczna. His 
profile defines itself sharply against the dark back- 
ground of the trees. His son ! — his son ! 

The aged man fell upon his knees and, with a 
countenance transfigured with joy, raised his folded 
hands toward the singer. His snow-white hair circled 
his wrinkled brow like a halo, and as though a merci- 
ful hand had staid the course of death, in nis rigid 
features happiness shone from smiling lips. As 
though in ecstacy, he listened to the song until the 
last note died away — “ So, dust to dust, but in free 
dust ! ” Then the kneeling figure trembled and 
quivered, while tears rolled over the worn cheeks, 
and in this moment all that lay between the past and 
the present was forgotten. “Janek!” he cried, in 
one wild cry — “ Janek, my son ! ” 

On the castle steps knelt the Lord of Proczna, 
holding the head of his dying father in his arms. He 
pressed his lips to the brow and cheeks of the 
departing Pole. “ Father ! ” he cried, with an 
expression of unmeasurable love in voice and glance, 
“ have you at last returned to your child ! ” 

“ Carry him in the house, Janek, — he is sick — he 
trembles with cold and exhaustion,” implores Xenia, 
with choking voice, as she kneels beside the dying 
one and covers his cold hand with tears and kisses. 

A gentle, scarcely perceptible pressure of the hand 
was the response. “ No, no ! ” he said. “ Let me stay 
here ... let me have heaven over my head ... it is 
open to receive me . . . Rest, Janek, rest . . . and I 
am weary ! — Ah, so weary. Is she your wife ? ” He 
laid his hand tenderly upon the blonde head, while 
his fading glance sought to question her tearful 
eyes. “Then love him, and God in heaven will 


364 


POLISH BLOOD, 


bless you for it, and my soul will be with you.” As 
though startled, he then drew himself up. “ Do you 
hear the storm roar ? ... Do you not see the snow- 
flakes whirling in the air ? Courage ! forward ! . . . 
Yonder is a light . . . Have mercy upon us. Count . . . 
Do not take my child from me, he is all that I have I 
There lies the other — dead, frozen . . . and now this 
last one also ! . . . Take liim — I shall have him again. 
I shall come again, when Poland’s chains are broken, 
when I can give him an honorable name ! My son 
will he be throughout eternity! . . . Make him a 
German ? . . . Ha, ha ! . . . Polish blood never denies 
itself. Take my son — take him ! ” 

Moaning he clung to Proczna’s arm : “ Where are 
you, Janek? I have hunted for you under the flag. 
I have searched for you on Poland’s battle-field . . . 
Woe is me ! ” 

Soft music fell upon his ear: “ Boze — cos 
Proczna’s lips had no other answer. 

The cramping limbs straightened themselves out. 
A gentle respiration lifted the dying one’s breast. 
“And even to the last had Polish blood not denied 
itself,” he whispered with a countenance brightened 
with immortal light. “ Janek, Janek, my son ! ” He 
seized both hands of the young pair and inclosed 
them in his trembling fingers : “ Pray for Poland I 

Hope for the future . . . God with you and my 
country . . . Niech zyje Polska ! ” Slowly the angel 
lowered his torch, the light went out. 

Again the sound of soft voices was to be heard 
under the swinging vines that shaded the pebbled 
allee. The snowy folds of a woman’s robe shimmered 
in the sun, and upon the small blonde head danced its 
quivering rays. The sorceress Lorelei I . . . Just as 
she looked long ago, and yet how changed. 

Xenia leaned her head caressingly upon her 
husband’s breast, and he gazed smilingly down into 
her eyes. 

“ You no longer believe in the son of the Kosynier, 
since you heard the extravagant title of honor 


POLISB BLOOD. 


365 


Aloizy gave my father. That is a Polish custom. 
The love and devotion of the servants know no bounds 
in words.” 

She earnestly shook her head. “ Whoever the 
stranger may have been, he blessed me as his daughter 
and joined our hands together. That alone were 
enough to make my heart call him father, and truly, 
my darling, it matters not what name you give 
him, he shall ever be both dear and honored in my 
memory.” 

Janek’s countenance became earnest — almost so- 
lemn. “ The name of my unhappy father has become 
extinct in this world, and my lips, by his last will, 
are sealed. But, without betraying the sad secret, 
you may imagine whose son the man is whom your 
love has chosen, though he was without name and 
without a shelter. I drew this ring from the finger of 
the departed. It is the seal worn by my ancestors 
through many centuries.” 

Xenia took the gold ring and gazed down upon the 
engraving on the stone. Hot waves surged to her 
very brow. “Janek . . . these arms . . . this 
crown . . . Almighty God ! — who are you ? ” 

She buried her face in her hands. It seemed as 
though a storm of emotion had broken through her 
soul, and she softly whispered : “ Not till this moment 
do I comprehend the true nobility of your nature. 
Not till now do I know how great is your love for me, 
Janek, and how much yon have sacrificed for me, and 
— for how much I must atone ! ” 

Many changes have taken place in the “Northern 
Aix-la-Chapelle.” 

Chancellor Von Gartner was transferred very un- 
expectedly to a position in the South. Here his 
health grew rapidly worse, and being unable to con- 
scientiously perform the duties of his new office, he 
resigned, to the despair of his beautiful wife. He 
chose a permanent retreat in a “health cure,” where 
he was followed by Madame Leonie, who remained 
there after the death of her husband, and played no 


366 


POLISH BLOOD. 


insignificant r 61 e as a beautiful and admired widow, 
but whom no one solicited in marriage. 

The Countess Kany was suddenly removed from 
her position as maid of honor. People fairly broke 
their heads to find a cause for it. She lives a part of 
the summer with Excellenz Gartner—not always, 
however, in the most amicable relations. Eye-wit- 
nesses maintain tl^at high words pass between them, 
but there never has been an open rupture, as each 
one’s play is so necessary to the other’s hand. 

In the Franz Ulanen regiment there were many 
removals. It was said that August Ferdinand had 
taken the iron broom in his own hand to sweep the 
dust well out of all corners. Mr. Von Flanders of 
his own free will asked to be transferred to a dragoon 
regiment. 

Prince Reuseck likewise changed his position and 
his uniform, and was succeeded by a popular Baron 
wh(^ counted divers relatives among the infantry 
corps. As though by magic power the whole scene 
had changed. A hearty spirit of comradeship reigned 
between the different regiments, at the head of which 
stood the almost worshiped Prince Ferdinand, whose 
gracious rule instilled a tone of true fraternity, which 
banished the old spirit of “ Here the sabre — there the 
sword,” and stamped on all,- in its stead, the true 
Pj ussian motto, “ All with God, for king and Father- 
land.' ' 

There was a marked change in Anna Regina’s ap- 
pearance. Like a tender plant imbued with new life, 
she now lifted up her head, and those who had the 
honor of pressing her little hand to their lips never 
forgot the happiness of her charming countenance. 

Prince Heller Huningen carried out his resolution, 
and at the close of the season made his little cousin 
Bicky a formal declaration of marriage. Mamma 
Drach, however, considered it advisable to postpone 
the wedding day for two years, when the overjoyed 
future bride was to receive her bridegroom as a birth- 
day gift. 


POLISH BLOOD, 


367 


During the last three winters Villa Florian had 
been again occupied. Count Dynar, Upon the press- 
ing invitation of the royal pair, led his lovely wife 
back into the Residence, in order to take part in the 
different entertainments and the carnival ; but at the 
appearance of the first tender green upon the trees 
Xenia looked pleadingly into her husband’s eyes. 
He understood their language, and devoted as in the 
first days of their marriage, he would press her hand 
tenderly to his lips, and bear his treasure back to the 
solitude, where every bell-flower of the heath sounded 
its hymn of praise to holy and undying love. 


THE END. 



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